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Title: The Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck
Vol. 2 (of 2)
Author: Baron Trenck
Editor: Henry Morley
Release Date: October 16, 2007 [eBook #2669]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF BARON
TRENCK***

the
LIFE AND ADVENTURESof
BARON TRENCK

translated
by
THOMAS HOLCROFT.

Vol.
II.

CASSELL & COMPANY, Limited:london, paris, new york & melbourne.
1886.

INTRODUCTION.

Thomas Holcroft, the translator of these Memoirs of Baron
Trenck, was the author of about thirty plays, among which one,
The Road to Ruin, produced in 1792, has kept its place
upon the stage. He was born in December, 1745, the son of a
shoemaker who did also a little business in horse-dealing.
After early struggles, during which he contrived to learn French,
German, and Italian, Holcroft contributed to a newspaper, turned
actor, and wrote plays, which appeared between the years 1791 and
1806. He produced also four novels, the first in 1780, the
last in 1807. He was three times married, and lost his
first wife in 1790. In 1794, his sympathy with ideals of
the French revolutionists caused him to be involved with Hardy,
Horne Tooke, and Thelwall, in a charge of high treason; but when
these were acquitted, Holcroft and eight others were discharged
without trial.

Holcroft earned also by translation. He translated,
besides these Memoirs of Baron Trenck, Mirabeau’s Secret
History of the Court of Berlin, Les Veillées du
Château of Madame de Genlis, and the posthumous works
of Frederick II., King of Prussia, in thirteen volumes.

The Memoirs of Baron Trenck were first published at Berlin as
his Merkwürdige Lebensbeschreibung, in three volumes
octavo, in 1786 and 1787. They were first translated into
French by Baron Bock (Metz, 1787); more fully by Letourneur
(Paris, 1788); and again by himself (Strasbourg, 1788), with
considerable additions. Holcroft translated from the French
versions.

H.M.

CHAPTER I.

Blessed shade of a beloved sister! The sacrifice of my
adverse and dreadful fate! Thee could I never avenge!
Thee could the blood of Weingarten never appease! No
asylum, however sacred, should have secured him, had he not
sought that last of asylums for human wickedness and human
woes—the grave! To thee do I dedicate these few
pages, a tribute of thankfulness; and, if future rewards there
are, may the brightest of these rewards be thine. For us,
and not for ours, may rewards be expected from monarchs who, in
apathy, have beheld our mortal sufferings. Rest, noble
soul, murdered though thou wert by the enemies of thy
brother. Again my blood boils, again my tears roll down my
cheeks, when I remember thee, thy sufferings in my cause, and thy
untimely end! I knew it not; I sought to thank thee; I
found thee in the grave; I would have made retribution to thy
children, but unjust, iron-hearted princes had deprived me of the
power. Can the virtuous heart conceive affliction more
cruel? My own ills I would have endured with magnanimity;
but thine are wrongs I have neither the power to forget nor
heal.

Enough of this.—

The worthy Emperor, Francis I., shed tears when I afterwards
had the honour of relating to him in person my past miseries; I
beheld them flow, and gratitude threw me at his feet. His
emotion was so great that he tore himself away. I left the
palace with all the enthusiasm of soul which such a scene must
inspire.

He probably would have done more than pitied me, but his death
soon followed. I relate this incident to convince posterity
that Francis I. possessed a heart worthy an emperor, worthy a
man. In the knowledge I have had of monarchs he stands
alone. Frederic and Theresa both died without doing me
justice; I am now too old, too proud, have too much apathy, to
expect it from their successors. Petition I will not,
knowing my rights; and justice from courts of law, however
evident my claims, were in these courts vain indeed to
expect. Lawyers and advocates I know but too well, and an
army to support my rights I have not.

What heart that can feel but will pardon me these
digressions! At the exact and simple recital of facts like
these, the whole man must be roused, and the philosopher himself
shudder.

Once more:—I heard nothing of what had happened for some
days; at length, however, it was the honest Gelfhardt’s
turn to mount guard; but the ports being doubled, and two
additional grenadiers placed before my door, explanation was
exceedingly difficult. He, however, in spite of precaution,
found means to inform me of what had happened to his two
unfortunate comrades.

The King came to a review at Magdeburg, when he visited
Star-Fort, and commanded a new cell to be immediately made,
prescribing himself the kind of irons by which I was to be
secured. The honest Gelfhardt heard the officer say this
cell was meant for me, and gave me notice of it, but assured me
it could not be ready in less than a month. I therefore
determined, as soon as possible, to complete my breach in the
wall, and escape without the aid of any one. The thing was
possible; for I had twisted the hair of my mattress into a rope,
which I meant to tie to a cannon, and descend the rampart, after
which I might endeavour to swim across the Elbe, gain the Saxon
frontiers, and thus safely escape.

On the 26th of May I had determined to break into the next
casemate; but when I came to work at the bricks, I found them so
hard and strongly cemented that I was obliged to defer the labour
till the following day. I left off, weary and spent, at
daybreak, and should any one enter my dungeon, they must
infallibly discover the breach. How dreadful is the destiny
by which, through life, I have been persecuted, and which has
continually plunged me headlong into calamity, when I imagined
happiness was at hand!

The 27th of May was a cruel day in the history of my
life. My cell in the Star-Fort had been finished sooner
than Gelfhardt had supposed; and at night, when I was preparing
to fly, I heard a carriage stop before my prison. O God!
what was my terror, what were the horrors of this moment of
despair! The locks and bolts resounded, the doors flew
open, and the last of my poor remaining resources was to conceal
my knife. The town-major, the major of the day, and a
captain entered; I saw them by the light of their two
lanterns. The only words they spoke were, “Dress
yourself,” which was immediately done. I still wore
the uniform of the regiment of Cordova. Irons were given
me, which I was obliged myself to fasten on my wrists and ankles;
the town-major tied a bandage over my eyes, and, taking me under
the arm, they thus conducted me to the carriage. It was
necessary to pass through the city to arrive at the Star-Fort;
all was silent, except the noise of the escort; but when we
entered Magdeburg I heard the people running, who were crowding
together to obtain a sight of me. Their curiosity was
raised by the report that I was going to be beheaded. That
I was executed on this occasion in the Star-Fort, after having
been conducted blindfold through the city, has since been both
affirmed and written; and the officers had then orders to
propagate this error that the world might remain in utter
ignorance concerning me. I, indeed, knew otherwise, though
I affected not to have this knowledge; and, as I was not gagged,
I behaved as if I expected death, reproached my conductors in
language that even made them shudder, and painted their King in
his true colours, as one who, unheard, had condemned an innocent
subject by a despotic exertion of power.

My fortitude was admired, at the moment when it was supposed I
thought myself leading to execution. No one replied, but
their sighs intimated their compassion; certain it is, few
Prussians willingly execute such commands. The carriage at
length stopped, and I was brought into my new cell. The
bandage was taken from my eyes. The dungeon was lighted by
a few torches. God of heaven! what were my feelings when I
beheld the whole floor covered with chains, a fire-pan, and two
grim men standing with their smiths’ hammers!

* * * * *

To work went these engines of despotism! Enormous chains
were fixed to my ankle at one end, and at the other to a ring
which was incorporated in the wall. This ring was three
feet from the ground, and only allowed me to move about two or
three feet to the right and left. They next riveted another
huge iron ring, of a hand’s breadth, round my naked body,
to which hung a chain, fixed into an iron bar as thick as a
man’s arm. This bar was two feet in length, and at
each end of it was a handcuff. The iron collar round my
neck was not added till the year 1756.

* * * * *

No soul bade me good night. All retired in dreadful
silence; and I heard the horrible grating of four doors, that
were successively locked and bolted upon me!

Thus does man act by his fellow, knowing him to be innocent,
having received the commands of another man so to act.

O God! Thou alone knowest how my heart, void as it was
of guilt, beat at this moment. There sat I, destitute,
alone, in thick darkness, upon the bare earth, with a weight of
fetters insupportable to nature, thanking Thee that these cruel
men had not discovered my knife, by which my miseries might yet
find an end. Death is a last certain refuge that can indeed
bid defiance to the rage of tyranny. What shall I
say? How shall I make the reader feel as I then felt?
How describe my despondency, and yet account for that latent
impulse that withheld my hand on this fatal, this miserable
night?

This misery I foresaw was not of short duration; I had heard
of the wars that were lately broken out between Austria and
Prussia. Patiently to wait their termination, amid
sufferings and wretchedness such as mine, appeared impossible,
and freedom even then was doubtful. Sad experience had I
had of Vienna, and well I knew that those who had despoiled me of
my property most anxiously would endeavour to prevent my
return. Such were my meditations! such my night
thoughts! Day at length returned; but where was its
splendour? Fled! I beheld it not; yet was its
glimmering obscurity sufficient to show me what was my
dungeon.

In breadth it was about eight feet; in length, ten. Near
me once more stood a night-table; in a corner was a seat, four
bricks broad, on which I might sit, and recline against the
wall. Opposite the ring to which I was fastened, the light
was admitted through a semi-circular aperture, one foot high, and
two in diameter. This aperture ascended to the centre of
the wall, which was six feet thick, and at this central part was
a close iron grating, from which, outward, the aperture
descended, and its two extremities were again secured by strong
iron bars. My dungeon was built in the ditch of the
fortification, and the aperture by which the light entered was so
covered by the wall of the rampart that, instead of finding
immediate passage, the light only gained admission by
reflection. This, considering the smallness of the
aperture, and the impediments of grating and iron bars, must
needs make the obscurity great; yet my eyes, in time, became so
accustomed to this glimmering that I could see a mouse run.
In winter, however, when the sun did not shine into the ditch, it
was eternal night with me. Between the bars and the grating
was a glass window, most curiously formed, with a small central
casement, which might be opened to admit the air. My
night-table was daily removed, and beside me stood a jug of
water. The name of TRENCK was built in the wall, in red
brick, and under my feet was a tombstone with the name of TRENCK
also cut on it, and carved with a death’s head. The
doors to my dungeon were double, of oak, two inches thick;
without these was an open space or front cell, in which was a
window, and this space was likewise shut in by double
doors. The ditch, in which this dreadful den was built, was
enclosed on both sides by palisades, twelve feet high, the key of
the door of which was entrusted to the officer of the guard, it
being the King’s intention to prevent all possibility of
speech or communication with the sentinels. The only motion
I had the power to make was that of jumping upward, or swinging
my arms to procure myself warmth. When more accustomed to
these fetters, I became capable of moving from side to side,
about four feet; but this pained my shin-bones.

The cell had been finished with lime and plaster but eleven
days, and everybody supposed it would be impossible I should
exist in these damps above a fortnight. I remained six
months, continually immersed in very cold water, that trickled
upon me from the thick arches under which I was; and I can safely
affirm that, for the first three months, I was never dry; yet did
I continue in health. I was visited daily, at noon, after
relieving guard, and the doors were then obliged to be left open
for some minutes, otherwise the dampness of the air put out their
candles.

This was my situation, and here I sat, destitute of friends,
helplessly wretched, preyed on by all the torture of thought that
continually suggested the most gloomy, the most horrid, the most
dreadful of images. My heart was not yet wholly turned to
stone; my fortitude was sunken to despondency; my dungeon was the
very cave of despair; yet was my arm restrained, and this excess
of misery endured.

How then may hope be wholly eradicated from the heart of
man? My fortitude, after some time, began to revive; I
glowed with the desire of convincing the world I was capable of
suffering what man had never suffered before; perhaps of at last
emerging from this load of wretchedness triumphant over my
enemies. So long and ardently did my fancy dwell on this
picture, that my mind at length acquired a heroism which Socrates
himself certainly never possessed. Age had benumbed his
sense of pleasure, and he drank the poisonous draught with cool
indifference; but I was young, inured to high hopes, yet now
beholding deliverance impossible, or at an immense, a dreadful
distance. Such, too, were the other sufferings of soul and
body, I could not hope they might be supported and live.

About noon my den was opened. Sorrow and compassion were
painted on the countenances of my keepers. No one spoke; no
one bade me good morrow. Dreadful indeed was their arrival;
for, unaccustomed to the monstrous bolts and bars, they were kept
resounding for a full half-hour before such soul-chilling, such
hope-murdering impediments were removed. It was the voice
of tyranny that thundered.

My night-table was taken out, a camp-bed, mattress, and
blankets were brought me; a jug of water set down, and beside it
an ammunition loaf of six pounds’ weight. “That
you may no more complain of hunger,” said the town-major,
“you shall have as much bread as you can eat.”
The door was shut, and I again left to my thoughts.

What a strange thing is that called happiness! How shall
I express my extreme joy when, after eleven months of intolerable
hunger, I was again indulged with a full feast of coarse
ammunition bread? The fond lover never rushed more eagerly
to the arias of his expecting bride, the famished tiger more
ravenously on his prey, than I upon this loaf. I ate,
rested; surveyed the precious morsel; ate again; and absolutely
shed tears of pleasure. Breaking bit after bit, I had by
evening devoured all my loaf.

Oh, Nature! what delight hast thou combined with the
gratification of thy wants! Remember this, ye who gorge, ye
who rack invention to excite appetite, and yet which you cannot
procure! Remember how simple are the means that will give a
crust of mouldy bread a flavour more exquisite than all the
spices of the East, or all the profusion of land or sea!
Remember this, grow hungry, and indulge your sensuality.

Alas! my enjoyment was of short duration. I soon found
that excess is followed by pain and repentance. My fasting
had weakened digestion, and rendered it inactive. My body
swelled, my water-jug was emptied; cramps, colics, and at length
inordinate thirst racked me all the night. I began to pour
curses on those who seemed to refine on torture, and, after
starving me so long, to invite me to gluttony. Could I not
have reclined on my bed, I should indeed have been driven, this
night, to desperation; yet even this was but a partial relief;
for, not yet accustomed to my enormous fetters, I could not
extend myself in the same manner I was afterwards taught to do by
habit. I dragged them, however, so together as to enable me
to sit down on the bare mattress. This, of all my nights of
suffering, stands foremost. When they opened my dungeon
next day they found me in a truly pitiable situation, wondered at
my appetite, brought me another loaf; I refused to accept it,
believing I nevermore should have occasion for bread; they,
however, left me one, gave me water, shrugged up their shoulders,
wished me farewell, as, according to all appearance, they never
expected to find me alive, and shut all the doors, without asking
whether I wished or needed further assistance.

Three days had passed before I could again eat a morsel of
bread; and my mind, brave in health, now in a sick body became
pusillanimous, so that I determined on death. The irons,
everywhere round my body, and their weight, were insupportable;
nor could I imagine it was possible I should habituate myself to
them, or endure them long enough to expect deliverance.
Peace was a very distant prospect. The King had commanded
that such a prison should be built as should exclude all
necessity of a sentinel, in order that I might not converse with
and seduce them from what is called their duty: and, in the first
days of despair, deliverance appeared impossible; and the
fetters, the war, the pain I felt, the place, the length of time,
each circumstance seemed equally impossible to support. A
thousand reasons convinced me it was necessary to end my
sufferings. I shall not enter into theological disputes:
let those who blame me imagine themselves in my situation; or
rather let them first actually endure my miseries, and then let
them reason. I had often braved death in prosperity, and at
this moment it seemed a blessing.

Full of these meditations, every minute’s patience
appeared absurdity, and resolution meanness of soul; yet I wished
my mind should be satisfied that reason, and not rashness, had
induced the act. I therefore determined, that I might
examine the question coolly, to wait a week longer, and die on
the fourth of July. In the meantime I revolved in my mind
what possible means there were of escape, not fearing, naked and
chained, to rush and expire on the bayonets of my enemies.

The next day I observed, as the four doors were opened, that
they were only of wood, therefore questioned whether I might not
even cut off the locks with the knife that I had so fortunately
concealed: and should this and every other means fail, then would
be the time to die. I likewise determined to make an
attempt to free myself of my chains. I happily forced my
right hand through the handcuff, though the blood trickled from
my nails. My attempts on the left were long ineffectual;
but by rubbing with a brick, which I got from my seat, on the
rivet that had been negligently closed, I effected this also.

The chain was fastened to the run round my body by a hook, one
end of which was not inserted in the rim; therefore, by setting
my foot against the wall, I had strength enough so far to bend
this hook back, and open it, as to force out the link of the
chain. The remaining difficulty was the chain that attached
my foot to the wall: the links of this I took, doubled, twisted,
and wrenched, till at length, nature having bestowed on me great
strength, I made a desperate effort, sprang forcibly up, and two
links at once flew off.

Fortunate, indeed, did I think myself: I hastened to the door,
groped in the dark to find the clinkings of the nails by which
the lock was fastened, and discovered no very large piece of wood
need be cut. Immediately I went to work with my knife, and
cut through the oak door to find its thickness, which proved to
be only one inch, therefore it was possible to open all the four
doors in four-and-twenty hours.

Again hope revived in my heart. To prevent detection I
hastened to put on my chains; but, O God! what difficulties had I
to surmount! After much groping about, I at length found
the link that had flown off; this I hid: it being my good fortune
hitherto to escape examination, as the possibility of ridding
myself of such chains was in nowise suspected. The
separated iron links I tied together with my hair ribbon; but
when I again endeavoured to force my hand into the ring, it was
so swelled that every effort was fruitless. The whole might
was employed upon the rivet, but all labour was in vain.

Noon was the hour of visitation, and necessity and danger
again obliged me to attempt forcing my hand in, which at length,
after excruciating torture, I effected. My visitors came,
and everything had the appearance of order. I found it,
however, impossible to force out my right hand while it continued
swelled.

I therefore remained quiet till the day fixed, and on the
determined fourth of July, immediately as my visitors had closed
the doors upon me, I disencumbered myself of my irons, took my
knife, and began my Herculean labour on the door. The first
of the double doors that opened inwards was conquered in less
than an hour; the other was a very different task. The lock
was soon cut round, but it opened outwards; there was therefore
no other means left but to cut the whole door away above the
bar.

Incessant and incredible labour made this possible, though it
was the more difficult as everything was to be done by feeling, I
being totally in the dark; the sweat dropped, or rather flowed,
from my body; my fingers were clotted in my own blood, and my
lacerated hands were one continued wound.

Daylight appeared: I clambered over the door that was half cut
away, and got up to the window in the space or cell that was
between the double doors, as before described. Here I saw
my dungeon was in the ditch of the first rampart: before me I
beheld the road from the rampart, the guard but fifty paces
distant, and the high palisades that were in the ditch, and must
be scaled before I could reach the rampart. Hope grew
stronger; my efforts were redoubled. The first of the next
double doors was attacked, which likewise opened inward, and was
soon conquered. The sun set before I had ended this, and
the fourth was to be cut away as the second had been. My
strength failed; both my hands were raw; I rested awhile, began
again, and had made a cut of a foot long, when my knife snapped,
and the broken blade dropped to the ground!

God of Omnipotence! what was I at this moment? Was
there, God of Mercies! was there ever creature of Thine more
justified than I in despair? The moon shone very clear; I
cast a wild and distracted look up to heaven, fell on my knees,
and in the agony of my soul sought comfort: but no comfort could
be found; nor religion nor philosophy had any to give. I
cursed not Providence, I feared not annihilation, I dared not
Almighty vengeance; God the Creator was the disposer of my fate;
and if He heaped afflictions upon me He had not given me strength
to support, His justice would not therefore punish me. To
Him, the Judge of the quick and dead, I committed my soul, seized
the broken knife, gashed through the veins of my left arm and
foot, sat myself tranquilly down, and saw the blood flow.
Nature, overpowered fainted, and I know not how long I remained,
slumbering, in this state. Suddenly I heard my own name,
awoke, and again heard the words, “Baron
Trenck!” My answer was, “Who
calls?” And who indeed was it—who but my honest
grenadier Gelfhardt—my former faithful friend in the
citadel! The good, the kind fellow had got upon the
rampart, that he might comfort me.

“How do you do?” said Gelfhardt.
“Weltering in my blood,” answered I; “to-morrow
you will find me dead.”—“Why should you
die?” replied he. “It is much easier for you to
escape here than from the citadel! Here is no sentinel, and
I shall soon find means to provide you with tools; if you can
only break out, leave the rest to me. As often as I am on
guard, I will seek opportunity to speak to you. In the
whole Star-Fort, there are but two sentinels: the one at the
entrance, and the other at the guard-house. Do not despair;
God will succour you; trust to me.” The good
man’s kindness and discourse revived my hopes: I saw the
possibility of an escape. A secret joy diffused itself
through my soul. I immediately tore my shirt, bound up my
wounds, and waited the approach of day; and the sun soon after
shone through the window, to me, with unaccustomed
brightness.

Let the reader judge how far it was chance, or the effect of
Divine providence, that in this dreadful hour my heart again
received hope. Who was it sent the honest Gelfhardt, at
such a moment, to my prison? For, had it not been for him,
I had certainly, when I awoke from my slumbers, cut more
effectually through my arteries.

Till noon I had time to consider what might further be done:
yet what could be done, what expected, but that I should now be
much more cruelly treated, and even more insupportably ironed
than before—finding, as they must, the doors cut through
and my fetters shaken off?

After mature consideration, I therefore made the following
resolution, which succeeded happily, and even beyond my
hopes. Before I proceed, however, I will speak a few words
concerning my situation at this moment. It is impossible to
describe how much I was exhausted. The prison swam with
blood; and certainly but little was left in my body. With
painful wounds, swelled and torn hands, I there stood shirtless,
felt an inclination to sleep almost irresistible, and scarcely
had strength to keep my legs, yet was I obliged to rouse myself,
that I might execute my plan.

With the bar that separated my hands, I loosened the bricks of
my seat, which, being newly laid, was easily done, and heaped
them up in the middle of my prison. The inner door was
quite open, and with my chains I so barricaded the upper half of
the second as to prevent any one climbing over it. When
noon came and the first of the doors was unlocked, all were
astonished to find the second open. There I stood,
besmeared with blood, the picture of horror, with a brick in one
hand, and in the other my broken knife, crying, as they
approached, “Keep off, Mr. Major, keep off! Tell the
governor I will live no longer in chains, and that here I stand,
if so he pleases, to be shot; for so only will I be
conquered. Here no man shall enter—I will destroy all
that approach; here are my weapons; lucre will I die in despite
of tyranny.” The major was terrified, wanted
resolution, and made his report to the governor. I meantime
sat down on my bricks, to wait what might happen: my secret
intent, however, was not so desperate as it appeared. I
sought only to obtain a favourable capitulation.

The governor, General Borck, presently came, attended by the
town-major and some officers, and entered the outward cell, but
sprang back the moment he beheld a figure like me, standing with
a brick and uplifted arm. I repeated what I had told the
major, and he immediately ordered six grenadiers to force the
door. The front cell was scarcely six feet broad, so that
no more than two at a time could attack my intrenchment, and when
they saw my threatening bricks ready to descend, they leaped
terrified back. A short pause ensued, and the old
town-major, with the chaplain, advanced towards the door to
soothe me: the conversation continued some time: whose reasons
were most satisfactory, and whose cause was the most just, I
leave to the reader. The governor grew angry, and ordered a
fresh attack. The first grenadier was knocked down, and the
rest ran back to avoid my missiles.

The town-major again began a parley. “For
God’s sake, my dear Trenck,” said he, “in what
have I injured you, that you endeavour to effect my ruin? I
must answer for your having, through my negligence, concealed a
knife. Be persuaded, I entreat you. Be
appeased. You are not without hope, nor without
friends.” My answer was—“But will you not
load me with heavier irons than before?”

He went out, spoke with the governor, and gave me his word of
honour that the affair should be no further noticed, and that
everything should be exactly reinstated as formerly.

Here ended the capitulation, and my wretched citadel was
taken. The condition I was in was viewed with pity; my
wounds were examined, a surgeon sent to dress them, another shirt
was given me, and the bricks, clotted with blood, removed.
I, meantime, lay half dead on my mattress; my thirst was
excessive. The surgeon ordered me some wine. Two
sentinels were stationed in the front cell, and I was thus left
four days in peace, unironed. Broth also was given me
daily, and how delicious this was to taste, how much it revived
and strengthened me, is wholly impossible to describe. Two
days I lay in a slumbering kind of trance, forced by unquenchable
thirst to drink whenever I awoke. My feet and hands were
swelled; the pains in my back and limbs were excessive.

On the fifth day the doors were ready; the inner was entirely
plated with iron, and I was fettered as before: perhaps they
found further cruelty unnecessary. The principal chain,
however, which fastened me to the wall, like that I had before
broken, was thicker than the first. Except this, the
capitulation was strictly kept. They deeply regretted that,
without the King’s express commands, they could not lighten
my afflictions, wished me fortitude and patience, and barred up
my doors.

It is necessary I should here describe my dress. My
hands being fixed and kept asunder by an iron bar, and my feet
chained to the wall, I could neither put on shirt nor stockings
in the usual mode; the shirt was therefore tied, and changed once
a fortnight; the coarse ammunition stockings were buttoned on the
sides; a blue garment, of soldier’s cloth, was likewise
tied round me, and I had a pair of slippers for my feet.
The shirt was of the army linen; and when I contemplated myself
in this dress of a malefactor, chained thus to the wall in such a
dungeon, vainly imploring mercy or justice, my conscience void of
reproach, my heart of guilt—when I reflected on my former
splendour in Berlin and Moscow, and compared it with this sad,
this dreadful reverse of destiny, I was sunk in grief, or roused
to indignation, that might have hurried the greatest hero or
philosopher to madness or despair. I felt what can only be
imagined by him who has suffered like me, after having like me
flourished, if such can be found.

Pride, the justness of my cause, the unbounded confidence I
had in my own resolution, and the labours of an inventive head
and iron body—these only could have preserved my
life. These bodily labours, these continued inventions, and
projected plans to obtain my freedom, preserved my health.
Who would suppose that a man fettered as I was could find means
of exercising himself? By swinging my arms, acting with the
upper part of my body, and leaping upwards, I frequently put
myself in a strong perspiration. After thus wearying myself
I slept soundly, and often thought how many generals, obliged to
support the inclemencies of weather, and all the dangers of the
field—how many of those who had plunged me into this den of
misery, would have been most glad could they, like me, have slept
with a quiet conscience. Often did I reflect how much
happier I was than those tortured on the bed of sickness by gout,
stone, and other terrible diseases. How much happier was I
in innocence than the malefactor doomed to suffer the pangs of
death, the ignominy of men, and the horrors of internal
guilt!

CHAPTER II.

In the following part of my history it will appear I often had
much money concealed under the ground and in the walls of my den,
yet would I have given a hundred ducats for a morsel of bread, it
could not have been procured. Money was to me
useless. In this I resembled the miser, who hoards, yet
hives in wretchedness, having no joy in gentle acts of
benevolence. As proudly might I delight myself with my
hidden treasure as such misers; nay, more, for I was secure from
robbers.

Had fastidious pomp been my pleasure, I might have imagined
myself some old field-marshal bedridden, who hears two grenadier
sentinels at his door call, “Who goes there?” My
honour, indeed, was still greater; for, during my last
year’s imprisonment, my door was guarded by no less than
four. My vanity also might have been flattered: I might
hence conclude how high was the value set upon my head, since all
this trouble was taken to hold me in security. Certain it
is that in my chains I thought more rationally, more nobly,
reasoned more philosophically on man, his nature, his zeal, his
imaginary wants, the effects of his ambition, his passions, and
saw more distinctly his dream of earthly good, than those who had
imprisoned, or those who guarded me. I was void of the
fears that haunt the parasite who servilely wears the fetters of
a court, and daily trembles for the loss of what vice and cunning
have acquired. Those who had usurped the Sclavonian
estates, and feasted sumptuously from the service of plate I had
been robbed of, never ate their dainties with so sweet an
appetite as I my ammunition bread, nor did their high-flavoured
wines flow so limpid as my cold water.

Thus, the man who thinks, being pure of heart, will find
consolation when under the most dreadful calamities, convinced,
as he must be, that those apparently most are frequently least
happy, insensible as they are of the pleasures they might
enjoy. Evil is never so great as it appears.

“Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.”

As you Like it.

Happy he who, like me, having suffered, can become an example
to his suffering brethren!

Youth, prosperous, and imagining
eternal prosperity, read my history attentively, though I should
be in my grave! Read feelingly, and bless my sleeping dust,
if it has taught thee wisdom or fortitude!

Father, reading this, say to thy
children, I felt thus like them, in blooming youth, little
prophesied of misfortune, which after fell so heavy on me, and by
which I am even still persecuted! Say that I had virtue,
ambition, was educated in noble principles; that I laboured with
all the zeal of enthusiastic youth to become wiser, better,
greater than other men; that I was guilty of no crimes, was the
friend of men, was no deceiver of man or woman; that I first
served my own country faithfully, and after, every other in which
I found bread; that I was never, during life, once intoxicated;
was no gamester, no night rambler, no contemptible idler; that
yet, through envy and arbitrary power, I have fallen to misery
such as none but the worst of criminals ought to feel.

Brother, fly those countries where
the lawgiver himself knows no law, where truth and virtue are
punished as crimes; and, if fly you cannot, be it your endeavour
to remain unknown, unnoticed; in such countries, seek not favour
or honourable employ, else will you become, when your merits are
known, as I have been, the victim of slander and treachery: the
behests of power will persecute you, and innocence will not
shield you from the shafts of wicked men who are envious, or who
wish to obtain the favour of princes, though by the worst of
means.

Sire, imagine not that thou readest
a romance. My head is grey, like thine. Read, yet
despise not the world, though it has treated me thus
unthankfully. Good men have I also found, who have
befriended me in misfortunes, and there, where I had least claim,
have I found them most. May my book assist thee in noble
thoughts; mayest thou die as tranquilly as I shall render up my
soul to appear before the Judge of me and my persecutors.
Be death but thought a transition from motion to rest. Few
are the delights of this world for him who, like me, has learned
to know it. Murmur not, despair not of Providence.
Me, through storms, it has brought to haven; through many griefs
to self-knowledge; and through prisons to philosophy. He
only can tranquilly descend to annihilation who finds reason not
to repent he has once existed. My rudder broke not amid the
rocks and quicksands, but my bark was cast upon the strand of
knowledge. Yet, even on these clear shores are impenetrable
clouds. I have seen more distinctly than it is supposed men
ought to see. Age will decay the faculties, and mental,
like bodily sight, must then decrease. I even grew weary of
science, and envied the blind-born, or those who, till death,
have been wilfully hoodwinked. How often have I been asked,
“What didst thou see?” And when I answered with
sincerity and truth, how often have I been derided as a liar, and
been persecuted by those who determined not to see themselves, as
an innovator singular and rash!

Sire, I further say to thee, teach thy descendants to seek the
golden mean, and say with Gellert—“The boy Fritz
needs nothing;—his stupidity will insure his success,
Examine our wealthy and titled lords, what are their abilities
and honours, then inquire how they were attained, and, if thou
canst, discover in what true happiness consists.”

Once more to my prison. The failure of my escape, and
the recovery of life from this state of despair, led me to
moralise deeper than I had ever done before; and in this depth of
thought I found unexpected consolation and fortitude, and a firm
persuasion I yet should accomplish my deliverance.

Gelfhardt, my honest grenadier, had infused fresh hope, and my
mind now busily began to meditate new plans. A sentinel was
placed before my door, that I might be more narrowly watched, and
the married men of the Prussian states were appointed to this
duty, who, as I will hereafter show, were more easy to persuade
in aiding my flight than foreign fugitives. The Pomeranian
will listen, and is by nature kind, therefore may easily be
moved, and induced to succour distress.

I began to be more accustomed to my irons, which I had before
found so insupportable; I could comb out my long hair, and could
tie it at last with one hand. My beard, which had so long
remained unshaven, gave me a grim appearance, and I began to
pluck it up by the roots. The pain at first was
considerable, especially about the lips; but this also custom
conquered, and I performed this operation in the following years,
once in six weeks, or two months, as the hair thus plucked up
required that length of time before the nails could again get
hold. Vermin did not molest me; the dampness of my den was
inimical to them. My limbs never swelled, because of the
exercise I gave myself, as before described. The greatest
pain I found was in the continued unvivifying dimness in which I
lived.

I had read much, had lived in, and seen much of the
world. Vacuity of thought, therefore, I was little troubled
with; the former transactions of my life, and the remembrance of
the persons I had known, I revolved so often in my mind, that
they became as familiar and connected as if the events had each
been written in the order it occurred. Habit made this
mental exercise so perfect to me, that I could compose speeches,
fables, odes, satires, all of which I repeated aloud, and had so
stored my memory with them that I was enabled, after I had
obtained my freedom, to commit to writing two volumes of my
prison labours. Accustomed to this exercise, days that
would otherwise have been days of misery appeared but as a
moment. The following narrative will show how munch esteem,
how many friends, these compositions procured me, even in my
dungeon; insomuch that I obtained light, paper, and finally
freedom itself. For these I have to thank the industrious
acquirements of my youth; therefore do I counsel all my readers
so to employ their time. Riches, honours, the favours of
fortune, may be showered by monarchs upon the most worthless; but
monarchs can give and take, say and unsay, raise and pull
down. Monarchs, however, can neither give wisdom nor
virtue. Arbitrary power itself, in the presence of these,
is foiled.

How wisely has Providence ordained that the endowments of
industry, learning, and science, given by ourselves, cannot be
taken from us; while, on the contrary, what others bestow is a
fantastical dream, from which any accident may awaken us!
The wrath of Frederic could destroy legions, and defeat armies;
but it could not take from me the sense of honour, of innocence,
and their sweet concomitant, peace of mind—could not
deprive me of fortitude and magnanimity. I defied his
power, rested on the justice of my cause, found in myself
expedients wherewith to oppose him, was at length crowned with
conquest, and came forth to the world the martyr of suffering
virtue.

Some of my oppressors now rot in dishonourable graves.
Others, alas! in Vienna, remain immured in houses of correction,
as Krugel and Zeto, or beg their bread, like Gravenitz and
Doo. Nor are the wealthy possessors of my estates more
fortunate, but look down with shame wherever I and my children
appear. We stand erect, esteemed, and honoured, while their
injustice is manifest to the whole world.

Young man, be industrious: for without industry can none of
the treasures I have described be purchased. Thy labour
will reward itself; then, when assaulted by misfortune, or even
misery, learn of me and smile; or, shouldst thou escape such
trials, still labour to acquire wisdom, that in old age thou
mayest find content and happiness.

The years in my dungeon passed away as days, those moments
excepted when, thinking on the great world, and the deeds of
great men, my ambition was roused: except when, contemplating the
vileness of my chains, and the wretchedness of my situation, I
laboured for liberty, and found my labours endless and
ineffectual; except while I remembered the triumph of my enemies,
and the splendour in which those lived by whom I had been
plundered. Then, indeed, did I experience intervals that
approached madness, despair, and horror: beholding myself
destitute of friend or protector, the Empress herself, for whose
sake I suffered, deserting me; reflecting on past times and past
prosperity; remembering how the good and virtuous, from the cruel
nature of my punishment, must be obliged to conclude me a wretch
and a villain, and that all means of justification were cut off:
O God! How did my heart beat! with what violence!
What would I not have undertaken, in these suffering moments, to
have put my enemies to shame! Vengeance and rage then rose
rebellious against patience; long-suffering philosophy vanished,
and the poisoned cup of Socrates would have been the nectar of
the gods.

Man deprived of hope is man destroyed. I found but
little probability in all my plans and projects; yet did I trust
that some of them should succeed, yet did I confide in them and
my honest Gelfhardt, and that I should still free myself from my
chains.

The greatest of all my incitements to patient endurance was
love. I had left behind me, in Vienna, a lady for whom the
world still was dear to me; her would I neither desert nor
afflict. To her and my sister was my existence still
necessary. For their sakes, who had lost and suffered so
much for mine, would I preserve my life; for them no difficulty,
no suffering was too great; yet, alas! when long-desired liberty
was restored, I found them both in their graves. The joy,
for which I had borne so much, was no more to be tasted.

About three weeks after my attempt to escape, the good
Gelfhardt first came to stand sentinel over me; and the sentinel
they had so carefully set was indeed the only hope I could have
of escape; for help must be had from without, or this was
impossible.

The effort I had made had excited too munch surprise and alarm
for me to pass without strict examination; since, on the ninth
day after I was confined, I had, in eighteen hours, so far broken
through a prison built purposely for myself, by a combination of
so many projectors, and with such extreme precaution, that it had
been universally declared impenetrable.

Gelfhardt scarcely had taken his post before we had free
opportunity of conversing together; for, when I stood with one
foot on my bedstead, I could reach the aperture through which
light was admitted.

Gelfhardt described the situation of my dungeon, and our first
plan was to break under the foundation which he had seen laid,
and which he affirmed to be only two feet deep.

Money was the first thing necessary. Gelfhardt was
relieved during his guard, and returned bringing within him a
sheet of paper rolled on a wire, which he passed through my
grating; as he also did a piece of small wax candle, some burning
amadone (a kind of tinder), a match, and a pen. I now had
light, and I pricked my finger, and wrote with my blood to my
faithful friend, Captain Ruckhardt, at Vienna, described my
situation in a few words, sent him an acquittance for three
thousand florins on my revenues, and requested he would dispose
of a thousand florins to defray the expenses of his journey to
Gummern, only two miles from Magdeburg. Here he was
positively to be on the 15th of August. About noon, on this
same day, he was to walk with a letter in his hand; and a man was
there to meet him, carrying a roll of smoking tobacco, to whom he
must remit the two thousand florins, and return to Vienna.

I returned the written paper to Gelfhardt by the same means it
had been received, gave him my instructions, and he sent his wife
with it to Gummern, by whom it was safely put in the post.

My hopes daily rose, and as often as Gelfhardt mounted guard,
so often did we continue our projects. The 15th of August
came, but it was some days before Gelfhardt was again on guard;
and oh! how did my heart palpitate when he came and exclaimed,
“All is right! we have succeeded.” He returned
in the evening, and we began to consider by what means he could
convey the money to me. I could not, with my hands chained
to an iron bar, reach the aperture of the window that admitted
air—besides that it was too small. It was therefore
agreed that Gelfhardt should, on the next guard, perform the
office of cleaning my dungeon, and that he then should convey the
money to me in the water-jug.

This luckily was done. How great was my astonishment
when, instead of one, I found two thousand florins! For I
had permitted him to reserve half to himself, as a reward for his
fidelity; he, however, had kept but five pistoles, which he
persisted was enough.

Worthy Gelfhardt! This was the act of a Pomeranian
grenadier! How rare are such examples! Be thy name
and mine ever united! Live thou while the memory of me
shall live! Never did my acquaintance with the great bring
to my knowledge a soul so noble, so disinterested!

It is true, I afterwards prevailed on him to accept the whole
thousand; but we shall soon see he never had them, and that his
foolish wife, three years after, suffered by their means;
however, she suffered alone, for he soon marched to the field,
and therefore was unpunished.

Having money to carry on my designs, I began to put my plan of
burrowing under the foundation into execution. The first
thing necessary was to free myself from my fetters. To
accomplish this, Gelfhardt supplied me with two small files, and
by the aid of these, this labour, though great, was effected.

The cap, or staple, of the foot ring was made so wide that I
could draw it forward a quarter of an inch. I filed the
iron which passed through it on the inside; the more I filed this
away, the farther I could draw the cap down, till at last the
whole inside iron, through which the chains passed, was cut quite
through! by this means I could slip off the ring, while the cap
on the outside continued whole, and it was impossible to discover
any cut, as only the outside could be examined. My hands,
by continued efforts, I so compressed as to be able to draw them
out of the handcuffs. I then filed the hinge, and made a
screw-driver of one of the foot-long flooring nails, by which I
could take out the screw at pleasure, so that at the time of
examination no proofs could appear. The rim round my body
was but a small impediment, except the chain, which passed from
my hand-bar: and this I removed, by filing an aperture in one of
the links, which, at the necessary hour, I closed with bread,
rubbed over with rusty-iron, first drying it by the heat of my
body; and would wager any sum that, without striking the chain
link by link, with a hammer, no one not in the secret would have
discovered the fracture.

The window was never strictly examined; I therefore drew the
two staples by which the iron bars were fixed to the wall, and
which I daily replaced, carefully plastering them over. I
procured wire from Gelfhardt, and tried how well I could imitate
the inner grating: finding I succeeded tolerably, I cut the real
grating totally away, and substituted an artificial one of my own
fabricating, by which I obtained a free communication with the
outside, additional fresh air, together with all necessary
implements, tinder, and candles.

That the light might not be seen, I hung the coverlid of my
bed before the window, so that I could work fearless and
undetected.

Every thing prepared, I went to work. The floor of my
dungeon was not of stone, but oak plank, three inches thick;
three beds of which were laid crossways, and were fastened to
each other by nails half an inch in diameter, and a foot
long. Raving worked round the head of a nail, I made use of
the hole at the end of the bar, which separated my hands, to draw
it out, and this nail, sharpened upon my tombstone, made an
excellent chisel.

I now cut through the board more than an inch in width, that I
might work downwards, and having drawn away a piece of board
which was inserted two inches under the wall, I cut this so as
exactly to fit; the small crevice it occasioned I stopped up with
bread and strewed over with dust, so as to prevent all suspicious
appearance. My labour under this was continued with less
precaution, and I had soon worked through my nine-inch
planks. Under them I came to a fine white sand, on which
the Star Fort was built. My chips I carefully distributed
beneath the boards. If I had not help from without, I could
proceed no farther; for to dig were useless, unless I could rid
myself of my rubbish. Gelfhardt supplied me with some ells
of cloth, of which I made long narrow bags, stuffed them with
earth, and passed them between the iron bars, to Gelfhardt, who,
as he was on guard, scattered or conveyed away their
contents.

Furnished with room to secrete them under the floor, I
obtained more instruments, together with a pair of pistols,
powder, ball, and a bayonet.

I now discovered that the foundation of my prison, instead of
two, was sunken four feet deep. Time, labour, and patience
were all necessary to break out unheard and undiscovered; but few
things are impossible, where resolution is not wanting.

The hole I made was obliged to be four feet deep,
corresponding with the foundation, and wide enough to kneel and
stoop in: the lying down on the floor to work, the continual
stooping to throw out the earth, the narrow space in which all
must be performed, these made the labour incredible: and, after
this daily labour, all things were to be replaced, and my chains
again resumed, which alone required some hours to effect.
My greatest aid was in the wax candles, and light I had procured;
but as Gelfhardt stood sentinel only once a fortnight, my work
was much delayed; the sentinels were forbidden to speak to me
under pain of death: and I was too fearful of being betrayed to
dare to seek new assistance.

Being without a stove, I suffered much this winter from cold;
yet my heart was cheerful as I saw the probability of freedom;
and all were astonished to find me in such good spirits.

Gelfhardt also brought me supplies of provisions, chiefly
consisting of sausages and salt meats, ready dressed, which
increased my strength, and when I was not digging, I wrote
satires and verses: thus time was employed, and I contented even
in prison.

Lulled into security, an accident happened that will appear
almost incredible, and by which every hope was nearly
frustrated.

Gelfhardt had been working with me, and was relieved in the
morning. As I was replacing the window, which I was obliged
to remove on these occasions, it fell out of my hand, and three
of the glass panes were broken. Gelfhardt was not to return
till guard was again relieved: I had therefore no opportunity of
speaking with him, or concerting any mode of repair. I
remained nearly an hour conjecturing and hesitating; for
certainly had the broken window been seen, as it was impossible I
should reach it when fettered, I should immediately have been
more rigidly examined, and the false grating must have been
discovered.

I therefore came to a resolution, and spoke to the sentinel
(who was amusing himself with whistling), thus: “My good
fellow, have pity, not upon me, but upon your comrades, who,
should you refuse, will certainly be executed: I will throw you
thirty pistoles through the window, if you will do me a small
favour.” He remained some moments silent, and at last
answered in a low voice, “What, have you money,
then?”—I immediately counted thirty pistoles, and
threw them through the window. He asked what he was to do:
I told him my difficulty, and gave him the size of the panes in
paper. The man fortunately was bold and prudent. The
door of the pallisadoes, through the negligence of the officer,
had not been shut that day: he prevailed on one of his comrades
to stand sentinel for him, during half an hour, while he meantime
ran into the town, and procured the glass, on the receipt of
which I instantly threw him out ten more pistoles. Before
the hour of noon and visitation came, everything was once more
reinstated, my glaziery performed to a miracle, and the life of
my worthy Gelfhardt preserved!—Such is the power of money
in this world! This is a very remarkable incident, for I
never spoke after to the man who did me this signal service.

Gelfhardt’s alarm may easily be imagined; he some days
after returned to his post, and was the more astonished as he
knew the sentinel who had done me this good office; that he had
five children, and a man most to be depended on by his officers,
of any one in the whole grenadier company.

I now continued my labour, and found it very possible to break
out under the foundation; but Gelfhardt had been so terrified by
the late accident, that he started a thousand difficulties, in
proportion as my end was more nearly accomplished; and at the
moment when I wished to concert with him the means of flight, he
persisted it was necessary to find additional help, to escape in
safety, and not bring both him and myself to destruction.
At length we came to the following determination, which, however,
after eight months’ incessant labour, rendered my whole
project abortive.

I wrote once more to Ruckhardt, at Vienna; sent him a new
assignment for money, and desired he would again repair to
Gummern, where he should wait six several nights, with two spare
horses, on the glacis of Klosterbergen, at the time appointed,
everything being prepared for flight. Within these six days
Gelfhardt would have found means, either in rotation, or by
exchanging the guard, to have been with me. Alas! the sweet
hope of again beholding the face of the sun, of once more
obtaining my freedom, endured but three days: Providence thought
proper otherwise to ordain. Gelfhardt sent his wife to
Gummern with the letter, and this silly woman told the
post-master her husband had a lawsuit at Vienna, that therefore
she begged he would take particular care of the letter, for which
purpose she slipped ten rix-dollars into his hand.

This unexpected liberality raised the suspicions of the Saxon
post-master, who therefore opened the letter, read the contents,
and instead of sending it to Vienna, or at least to the general
post-master at Dresden, he preferred the traitorous act of taking
it himself to the governor of Magdeburg, who then, as at present,
was Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick.

What were my terrors, what my despair, when I beheld the
Prince himself, about three o’clock in the afternoon, enter
my prison with his attendants, present my letter, and ask, in an
authoritative voice, who had carried it to Gummern. My
answer was, “I know not.” Strict search was
immediately made by smiths, carpenters, and masons, and after
half an hour’s examination, they discovered neither my hole
nor the manner in which I disencumbered myself of my chains; they
only saw that the middle grating, in the aperture where the light
was admitted, had been removed. This was boarded up the
next day, only a small air-hole left, of about six inches
diameter.

The Prince began to threaten; I persisted I had never seen the
sentinel who had rendered me this service, nor asked his
name. Seeing his attempts all ineffectual, the governor, in
a milder tone, said, “You have ever complained, Baron
Trenck, of not having been legally sentenced, or heard in your
own defence; I give you my word of honour, this you shall be, and
also that you shall be released from your fetters, if you will
only tell me who took your letter.” To this I
replied, with all the fortitude of innocence, “Everybody
knows, my lord, I have never deserved the treatment I have met
with in my country. My heart is irreproachable. I
seek to recover my liberty by every means in my power: but were I
capable of betraying the man whose compassion has induced him to
succour my distress; were I the coward that could purchase
happiness at his expense, I then should, indeed, deserve to wear
those chains with which I am loaded. For myself, do with me
what you please: yet remember I am not wholly destitute: I am
still a captain in the Imperial service, and a descendant of the
house of Trenck.”

Prince Ferdinand stood for a moment unable to answer; then
renewed his threats, and left my dungeon. I have since been
told that, when he was out of hearing, he said to those around
him, “I pity his hard fate, and cannot but admire his
strength of mind!”

I must here remark that, when we remember the usual
circumspection of this great man, we are obliged to wonder at his
imprudence in holding a conversation of such a kind with me,
which lasted a considerable time, in the presence of the
guard. The soldiers of the whole garrison had afterwards
the utmost confidence, as they were convinced I would not meanly
devote others to destruction, that I might benefit myself.
This was the way to gain me esteem and intercourse among the men,
especially as the Duke had said he knew I must have money
concealed, for that I had distributed some to the sentinels.

He had scarcely been gone an hour, before I heard a noise near
my prison. I listened—what could it be? I heard
talking, and learned a grenadier had hanged himself to the
pallisadoes of my prison.

The officer of the town-guard, and the town-major again
entered my dungeon to fetch a lanthorn they had forgotten, and
the officer at going out, told me in a whisper, “One of
your associates has just hanged himself.”

It was impossible to imagine my terror or sensations; I
believed it could be only my kind, my honest Gelfhardt.
After many gloomy thoughts, and lamenting the unhappy end of so
worthy a fellow, I began to recollect what the Prince had
promised me, if I would discover the accomplice. I knocked
at the door, and desired to speak to the officer; he came to the
window and asked me what I wanted; I requested he would inform
the governor that if he would send me light, pen, ink, and paper,
I would discover my whole secret.

These were accordingly sent, an hour’s time was granted;
the door was shut, and I was left alone. I sat myself down,
began to write on my night-table, and was about to insert the
name of Gelfhardt, but my blood thrilled, and shrank back to my
heart. I shuddered, rose, went to the aperture of the
window and called, “Is there no man who in compassion will
tell me the name of him who has hanged himself, that I may
deliver many others from destruction?” The window was
not nailed up till the next day; I therefore wrapped five
pistoles in a paper, threw them out, called to the sentinel, and
said, “Friend, take these, and save thy comrades; or go and
betray me, and bring down innocent blood upon thy
head!”

The paper was taken up; a pause of silence ensued: I heard
sighs, and presently after a low voice said, “his name is
Schutz; he belonged to the company of Ripps.” I had
never heard the name before, or known the man, but I however
immediately wrote Schutz, instead of
Gelfhardt. Having finished the letter I called the
lieutenant, who took that and the light away, and again barred up
the door of my dungeon. The Duke, however, suspected there
must be some evasion, and everything remained in the same state:
I obtained neither hearing nor court-martial. I learned, in
the sequel, the following circumstances, which will display the
truth of this apparently incredible story.

While I was imprisoned in the citadel, a sentinel came to the
post under my window, cursed and blasphemed, exclaiming aloud
against the Prussian service, and saying, if Trenck only knew my
mind, he would not long continue in his hole! I entered
into discourse with him, and he told me, if I could give him
money to purchase a boat, in which he might cross the Elbe, he
would soon make my doors fly open, and set me free.

Money at that time I had none; but I gave him a diamond
shirt-buckle, worth five hundred ferns, which I had
concealed. I never heard more from this man; he spoke to me
no more. He often stood sentinel over me, which I knew by
his Westphalian dialect, and I as often addressed myself to him,
but ineffectually; he would make no answer.

This Schutz must have sold my buckle, and let his riches be
seen; for, when the Duke left me, the lieutenant on guard said to
him—“You must certainly be the rascal who carried
Trenck’s letter; you have, for some time past, spent much
money, and we have seen you with louis-d’ors. How
came you by them?” Schutz was terrified, his
conscience accused him, he imagined I should betray him, knowing
he had deceived me. He, therefore, in the first agonies of
despair, came to the pallisadoes, and hung himself before the
door of my dungeon.

CHAPTER III.

How wonderful is the hand of Providence! The wicked man
fell a sacrifice to his crime, after having escaped a whole year,
and the faithful, the benevolent-hearted Gelfhardt was thereby
saved.

The sentinels were now doubled, that any intercourse with them
might be rendered more difficult. Gelfhardt again stood
guard, but he had scarcely opportunity, without danger, to speak
a few words: he thanked me for having preserved him, wished me
better fortune, and told me the garrison, in a few days, would
take the field.

This was dreadful news: my whole plan was destroyed at a
breath. I, however, soon recovered fresh hopes. The
hole I had sunken was not discovered: I had five hundred florins,
candles, and implements.

The seven years’ war broke out about a week after, and
the regiment took the field. Major Weyner came, for the
last time, and committed me to the care of the new major of the
militia, Bruckhausen, who was one of the most surly and stupid of
men. I shall often have occasion to mention this man.

All the majors and lieutenants of the guard, who had treated
me with compassion and esteem, now departed, and I became an old
prisoner in a new world. I acquired greater confidence,
however, by remembering that both officers and men in the militia
were much easier to gain over than in the regulars; the truth of
which opinion was soon confirmed.

Four lieutenants were appointed, with their men, to mount
guard at the Star Fort in turn, and before a year had passed,
three of them were in my interest.

The regiments had scarcely taken the field ere the new
governor, General Borck, entered my prison, like what he was, an
imperious, cruel tyrant. The King, in giving him the
command, had informed him he must answer for my person with his
head: he therefore had full power to treat me with whatever
severity he pleased.

Borck was a stupid man, of an unfeeling heart, the slave of
despotic orders; and as often as he thought it possible I might
rid myself of my fetters and escape, his heart palpitated with
fear. In addition to this, he considered me as the vilest
of men and traitors, seeing his King had condemned me to
imprisonment so cruel, and his barbarity towards me was thus the
effect of character and meanness of soul. He entered my
dungeon not as an officer, to visit a brother officer in misery,
but as an executioner to a felon. Smiths then made their
appearance, and a monstrous iron collar, of a hand’s
breadth, was put round my neck, and connected with the chains of
the feet by additional heavy links. My window was walled
up, except a small air-hole. He even at length took away my
bed, gave me no straw, and quitted me with a thousand revilings
on the Empress-Queen, her whole army, and myself. In words,
however, I was little in his debt, and he was enraged even to
madness.

What my situation was under this additional load of tyranny,
and the command of a man so void of human pity, the reader may
imagine. My greatest good fortune consisted in the ability
I still had to disencumber myself of all the irons that were
connected with the ankle-rims, and the provision I had of light,
paper, and implements; and though it was apparently impossible I
should break out undiscovered by both sentinels, yet had I the
remaining hope of gaining some officer, by money, who, as in
Glatz, should assist my escape.

Had the commands of the King been literally obeyed escape
would have been wholly impossible; for, by this, all
communication would have been totally cut off with the
sentinels. To this effect the four keys of the four doors
were each to be kept by different persons; one with the governor,
another with the town-major, the third with the major of the day,
and the fourth with the lieutenant of the guard. I never
could have found opportunity to have spoken with any one of them
singly. These commands at first were rigidly observed, with
this exception, that the governor made his appearance only every
week. Magdeburg became so full of prisoners that the
town-major was obliged to deliver up his key to the major of the
day, and the governor’s visitations wholly subsided, the
citadel being an English mile and a half distant from the Star
Fort.

General Walrabe, who had been a prisoner ever since the year
1746, was also at the Star Fort, but he had apartments, and three
thousand rix-dollars a year. The major of the day and
officer of the guard dined with him daily, and generally stayed
till evening. Either from compassion, or a concurrence of
fortunate circumstances, these gentlemen entrusted the keys to
the lieutenant on guard, by which means I could speak with each
of them alone when they made their visits, and they themselves at
length sought these opportunities. My consequent
undertakings I shall relate, with all the arts and inventions of
a wretched prisoner endeavouring to escape.

Borck had selected three majors and four lieutenants for this
service as those he could best trust. My situation was
truly deplorable. The enormous iron round my neck pained
me, and prevented motion; and I durst not attempt to disengage
myself from the pendant chains till I had, for some months,
carefully observed the mode of their examination, and which parts
they supposed were perfectly secure. The cruelty of
depriving me of my bed was still greater: I was obliged to sit
upon the bare ground, and lean with my head against the damp
wall. The chains that descended from the neck collar were
obliged to be supported first with one band, and then with the
other; for, if thrown behind, they would have strangled me, and
if hanging forward occasioned most excessive headaches. The
bar between my hands held one down, while leaning on my elbow; I
supported with the other my chains; and this so benumbed the
muscles and prevented circulation, that I could perceive my arms
sensibly waste away. The little sleep I could have in such
a situation may easily be supposed, and, at length, body and mind
sank under this accumulation of miserable suffering, and I fell
ill of a burning fever.

The tyrant Borck was inexorable; he wished to expedite my
death, and rid himself of his troubles and his terrors.
Here did I experience what was the lamentable condition of a sick
prisoner, without bed, refreshment, or aid from human
being. Reason, fortitude, heroism, all the noble qualities
of the mind, decay when the corporal faculties are diseased; and
the remembrance of my sufferings, at this dreadful moment, still
agitates, still inflames my blood, so as almost to prevent an
attempt to describe what they were.

Yet hope had not totally forsaken me. Deliverance seemed
possible, especially should peace ensue; and I sustained,
perhaps, what mortal man never bore, except myself, being, as I
was, provided with pistols, or any such immediate mode of
despatch.

I continued ill about two months, and was so reduced at last
that I had scarcely strength to lift the water-jug to my
mouth. What must the sufferings of that man be who sits two
months on the bare ground in a dungeon so damp, so dark, so
horrible, without bed or straw, his limbs loaded as mine were,
with no refreshment but dry ammunition bread, without so much as
a drop of broth, without physic, without consoling friend, and
who, under all these afflictions, must trust, for his recovery,
to the efforts of nature alone!

Sickness itself is sufficient to humble the mightiest mind;
what, then, is sickness, with such an addition of torment?
The burning fever, the violent headaches, my neck swelled and
inflamed with the irons, enraged me almost to madness. The
fever and the fetters together flayed my body so that it appeared
like one continued wound—Enough! Enough! The
malefactor extended living on the wheel, to whom the cruel
executioner refuses the last stroke—the blow of
death—must yet, in some short period, expire: he suffers
nothing I did not then suffer; and these, my excruciating pangs,
continued two dreadful months—Yet, can it be
supposed? There came a day! A day of horror, when
these mortal pangs were beyond imagination increased. I sat
scorched with this intolerable fever, in which nature and death
were contending; and when attempting to quench my burning
entrails with cold water, the jug dropped from my feeble hands,
and broke! I had four-and-twenty hours to remain without
water. So intolerable, so devouring was my thirst, I could
have drank human blood! Ay, in my madness, had it been the
blood of my father!

* * * * * *

Willingly would I have seized my pistols, but strength had
forsaken me, I could not open the place I was obliged to render
so secure.

My visitors next day supposed me gone at last. I lay
motionless, with my tongue out of my mouth. They poured
water down my throat, and I revived.

The lamentable state in which I lay at length became the
subject of general conversation, that all the ladies of the town
united with the officers, and prevailed on the tyrant, Borck, to
restore me my bed.

Oh, Nature, what are thy operations? From the day I
drank water in such excess I gathered strength, and to the
astonishment of every one, soon recovered. I had moved the
heart of the officer who inspected my prison; and after six
months, six cruel months of intense misery, the day of hope again
began to dawn.

One of the majors of the day entrusted his key to Lieutenant
Sonntag, who came alone, spoke in confidence, and related his own
situation, complained of his debts, his poverty, his necessities;
and I made him a present of twenty-five louis-d’ors, for
which he was so grateful that our friendship became unshaken.

The three lieutenants all commiserated me, and would sit hours
with me, when a certain major had the inspection; and he himself,
after a time, would even pass half the day with me. He,
too, was poor: and I gave him a draft for three thousand florins;
hence new projects took birth.

Money became necessary; I had disbursed all I possessed, a
hundred florins excepted, among the officers. The eldest
son of Captain K---, who officiated as major, had been cashiered:
his father complained to me of his distress, and I sent him to my
sister, not far from Berlin, from whom he received a hundred
ducats. He returned and related her joy at hearing from
me. He found her exceedingly ill; and she informed me, in a
few lines, that my misfortunes, and the treachery of Weingarten,
had entailed poverty upon her, and an illness which had endured
more than two years. She wished me a happy deliverance from
my chains, and, in expectation of death, committed her children
to my protection. She, however, grew better, and married a
second time, Colonel Pape; but died in the year 1758. I
shall forbear to relate her history: it indeed does no honour to
the ashes of Frederic, and would but less dispose my own heart to
forgiveness, by reviving the memory of her oppressions and
griefs.

K---n returned happy with the money: all things were concerted
with the father. I wrote to the Countess Bestuchef, also to
the Grand Duke, afterwards Peter III., recommended the young
soldier, and entreated every possible succour for myself.

K---n departed through Hamburg, for Petersburg, where, in
consequence of my recommendation, he became a captain, and in a
short time major. He took his measures so well that I, by
the intervention of his father, and a Hamburg merchant, received
two thousand rubles from the Countess, while the service he
rendered me made his own fortune in Russia.

To old K---, who was as poor as he was honest, I gave three
hundred ducats; and he, till death, continued my grateful
friend. I distributed nearly as much to the other officers;
and matters proceeded so far that Lieutenant Glotin gave back the
keys to the major without locking my prison, himself passing half
the night with me. Money was given to the guard to drink;
and thus everything succeeded to my wish, and the tyrant Borck
was deceived. I had a supply of light; had books,
newspapers, and my days passed swiftly away. I read, I
wrote, I busied myself so thoroughly that I almost forgot I was a
prisoner. When, indeed, the surly, dull blockhead, Major
Bruckhausen, had the inspection, everything had to be carefully
reinstated. Major Z---, the second of the three, was also
wholly mine. He was particularly attached to me; for I had
promised to marry his daughter, and, should I die in prison, to
bequeath him a legacy of ten thousand florins.

Lieutenant Sonntag got false handcuffs made for me, that were
so wide I could easily draw my hands out; the lieutenants only
examined my irons, the new handcuffs were made perfectly similar
to the old, and Bruckhausen had too much stupidity to remark any
difference.

The remainder of my chains I could disencumber myself of at
pleasure. When I exercised myself, I held them in my hands,
that the sentinel might be deceived by their clanking. The
neck-iron was the only one I durst not remove; it was likewise
too strongly riveted. I filed through the upper link of the
pendant chain, however, by which means I could take it off, and
this I concealed with bread in the manner before mentioned.

So I could disencumber myself of most of my fetters, and sleep
in ease. I again obtained sausages and cold meat, and thus
my situation, bad as it still was, became less miserable.
Liberty, however, was most desirable: but, alas! not one of the
three lieutenants had the courage of a Schell: Saxony, too, was
in the hands of the Prussians, and flight, therefore, more
dangerous. Persuasion was in vain with men determined to
risk nothing, but, if they went, to go in safety. Will,
indeed, was not wanting in Glotin and Sonntag; but the first was
a poltroon, and the latter a man of scruples, who thought this
step might likewise be the ruin of his brother at Berlin.

The sentinels were doubled, therefore my escape through my
hole, which had been two years dug, could not, unperceived by
them, be effected: still less could I, in the face of the guard,
clamber the twelve feet high pallisadoes. The following
labour, therefore, though Herculean, was undertaken.

Lieutenant Sonntag, measuring the interval between the hole I
had dug and the entrance in the gallery in the principal rampart,
found it to be thirty-seven feet. Into this it was possible
I might, by mining, penetrate. The difficulty of the
enterprise was lessened by the nature of the ground, a fine white
sand. Could I reach the gallery my freedom was
certain. I had been informed how many steps to the right or
left must be taken, to find the door that led to the second
rampart: and, on the day when I should be ready for flight, the
officer was secretly to leave this door open. I had light,
and mining tools, and was further to rely on money and my own
discretion.

I began and continued this labour about six months. I
have already noticed the difficulty of scraping out the earth
with my hands, as the noise of instruments would have been heard
by the sentinels. I had scarcely mined beyond my dungeon
wall before I discovered the foundation of the rampart was not
more than a foot deep; a capital error certainly in so important
a fortress. My labour became the lighter, as I could remove
the foundation stones of my dungeon, and was not obliged to mine
so deep.

My work at first proceeded so rapidly, that, while I had room
to throw back my sand, I was able in one night to gain three
feet; but ere I had proceeded ten feet I discovered all my
difficulties. Before I could continue my work I was obliged
to make room for myself, by emptying the sand out of my hole upon
the floor of the prison, and this itself was an employment of
some hours. The sand was obliged to be thrown out by the
hand, and after it thus lay heaped in my prison, must again be
returned into the hole; and I have calculated that after I had
proceeded twenty feet, I was obliged to creep under ground, in my
hole, from fifteen hundred to two thousand fathoms, within
twenty-four hours, in the removal and replacing of the
sand. This labour ended, care was to be taken that in none
of the crevices of the floor there might be any appearance of
this fine white sand. The flooring was the next to be
exactly replaced, and my chains to be resumed. So severe
was the fatigue of one day, in this mode, that I was always
obliged to rest the three following.

To reduce my labour as much as possible, I was constrained to
make the passage so small that my body only had space to pass,
and I had not room to draw my arm back to my head. The
work, too, must all be done naked, otherwise the dirtiness of my
shirt must have been remarked; the sand was wet, water being
found at the depth of four feet, where the stratum of the gravel
began. At length the expedient of sand-bags occurred to me,
by which it might be removed out and in more expeditiously.
I obtained linen from the officers, but not in sufficient
quantities; suspicions would have been excited at observing so
much linen brought into the prison. At last I took my
sheets and the ticking that enclosed my straw, and cut them up
for sand-bags, taking care to lie down on my bed, as if ill, when
Bruckhausen paid his visit.

The labour, towards the conclusion, became so intolerable as
to incite despondency. I frequently sat contemplating the
heaps of sand, during a momentary respite from work; and thinking
it impossible I could have strength or time again to replace all
things as they were, resolved patiently to wait the consequence,
and leave everything in its present disorder. Yes! I can
assure the reader that, to effect concealment, I have scarcely
had time in twenty-four hours to sit down and eat a morsel of
bread. Recollecting, however, the efforts, and all the
progress I had made, hope would again revive, and exhausted
strength return: again would I begin my labours, that I might
preserve my secret and my expectations: yet has it frequently
happened that my visitors have entered a few minutes after I had
reinstated everything in its place.

When my work was within six or seven feet of being
accomplished, a new misfortune happened that at once frustrated
all further attempts. I worked, as I have said, under the
foundation of the rampart near where the sentinels stood. I
could disencumber myself of my fetters, except my neck collar and
its pendent chain. This, as I worked, though it was
fastened, got loose, and the clanking was heard by one of the
sentinels about fifteen feet from my dungeon. The officer
was called, they laid their ears to the ground, and heard me as I
went backward and forward to bring my earth bags. This was
reported the next day; and the major, who was my best friend,
with the town-major, and a smith and mason, entered my
prison. I was terrified. The lieutenant by a sign
gave me to understand I was discovered. An examination was
begun, but the officers would not see, and the smith and mason
found all, as they thought, safe. Had they examined my bed,
they would have seen the ticking and sheets were gone.

The town-major, who was a dull man, was persuaded the thing
was impossible, and said to the sentinel, “Blockhead! you
have heard some mole underground, and not Trenck. How,
indeed, could it be, that lee should work underground, at such a
distance from his dungeon?” Here the scrutiny
ended.

There was now no time for delay. Had they altered their
hour of coming, they must have found me at work: but this, during
ten years, never happened: for the governor and town-major were
stupid men, and the others, poor fellows, wishing me all success,
were willingly blind. In a few days I could have broken
out, but, when ready, I was desirous to wait for the visitation
of the man who had treated me so tyranically, Bruckhausen, that
his own negligence might be evident. But this man, though
he wanted understanding, did not want good fortune. He was
ill for some time, and his duty devolved on K---.

He recovered; and the visitation being over, the doors were no
sooner barred than I began my supposed last labour. I had
only three feet farther to proceed, and it was no longer
necessary I should bring out the sand, I having room to throw it
behind me. What my anxiety was, what my exertions were, may
well be imagined. My evil genius, however, had decreed that
the same sentinel, who had heard me before, should be that day on
guard. He was piqued by vanity, to prove he was not the
blockhead he had been called; he therefore again laid his ear to
the ground, and again heard me burrowing. Ho called his
comrades first, next thee major; lee came, and heard me likewise;
they then went without the pallisadoes, and heard me working near
the door, at which place I was to break into the gallery.
This door they immediately opened, entered the gallery with
lanthorns, and waited to catch the hunted fox when unearthed.

Through the first small breach I made I perceived a light, and
saw the heads of those who were expecting me. This was
indeed a thunder-stroke! I crept back, made my way through
the sand I had cast behind me, and awaited my fate with
shuddering! I had the presence of mind to conceal my
pistols, candles, paper, and some money, under the floor which I
could remove. The money was disposed of in various holes,
well concealed also between the panels of the doors; and under
different cracks in the floor I hid my small files and
knives. Scarcely were these disposed of before the doors
resounded: the floor was covered with sand and sand-bags: my
handcuffs, however, and the separating bar, I had hastily resumed
that they might suppose I had worked with them on, which they
were silly enough to credit, highly to my future advantage.

No man was more busy on this occasion than the brutal and
stupid Bruckhausen, who put many interrogatories, to which I made
no reply, except assuring him that I should have completed my
work some days sooner, had it not been his good fortune to fall
sick, and that this only had been the cause of my failure.

The man was absolutely terrified with apprehension; he began
to fear me, grew more polite, and even supposed nothing was
impossible to me.

It was too late to remove the sand; therefore the lieutenant
and guard continued with me, so that this night at least I did
not want company. When the morning came, the hole was first
filled up; the planking was renewed. The tyrant Borck was
ill, and could not come, otherwise my treatment would have been
still more lamentable. The smiths had ended before the
evening, and the irons were heavier than ever. The foot
chains, instead of being fastened as before, were screwed and
riveted; all else remained as formerly. They were employed
in the flooring till the next day, so that I could not sleep, and
at last I sank down with weariness.

The greatest of my misfortunes was they again deprived me of
my bed, because I had cut it up for sand-bags. Before the
doors were barred Bruckhausen and another major examined my body
very narrowly. They often had asked me where I concealed
all my implements? My answer was, “Gentlemen,
Beelzebub is my best and most intimate friend; he brings me
everything I want, supplies me with light: we play whole nights
at piquet, and, guard me as you please, he will finally deliver
me out of your power.”

Some were astonished, others laughed. At length, as they
were barring the last door, I called, “Come back,
gentlemen! you have forgotten something of great
importance.” In the interim I had taken up one of my
hidden files. When they returned, “Look ye,
gentlemen,” said I, “here is a proof of the
friendship Beelzebub has for me, he has brought me this in a
twinkling.” Again they examined, and again they shut
their doors. While they were so doing, I took out a knife,
and ten louis-d’ors, called, and they re turned, grumbling
curses; I then shewed the knife and the louis-d’ors.
Their consternation was excessive; and I diverted my misfortunes
by jesting at such blundering, short-sighted keepers. It
was soon rumoured through Magdeburg, especially among the simple
and vulgar, that I was a magician to whom the devil brought all I
asked.

One Major Holtzkammer, a very selfish man, profited by this
report. A foolish citizen had offered him fifty dollars if
he might only be permitted to see me through the door, being very
desirous to see a wizard. Holtzkammer told me, and we
jointly determined to sport with his credulity. The major
gave me a mask with a monstrous nose, which I put on when the
doors were opening, and threw myself in an heroic attitude.
The affrighted burger drew back; but Holtzkammer stopped him, and
said, “Have patience for some quarter of an hour, and you
shall see he will assume quite a different
countenance.” The burger waited, my mask was thrown
by, and my face appeared whitened with chalk, and made
ghastly. The burger again shrank back; Holtzkammer kept him
in conversation, and I assumed a third farcical form. I
tied my hair under my nose, and a pewter dish to my breast, and
when the door a third time opened, I thundered, “Begone,
rascals, or I’ll set your necks—awry!”
They both ran: and the silly burger, eased of his fifty dollars,
scampered first.

The major, in vain, laid his injunctions on the burger never
to reveal what he had beheld, it being a breach of duty in him to
admit any persons whatever to the sight of me. In a few
days, the necromancer Trenck was the theme of every alehouse in
Magdeburg, and the person was named who had seen me change my
form thrice in the space of one hour. Many false and
ridiculous circumstances were added, and at last the story
reached the governor’s ears. The citizen was cited,
and offered to take his oath of what himself and the major had
seen. Holtzkammer accordingly suffered a severe reprimand,
and was some days under arrest. We frequently laughed,
however, at this adventure, which had rendered me so much the
subject of conversation. Miraculous reports were the more
easily credited, because no one could comprehend how, in despite
of the load of irons I carried, and all the vigilance of my
guards, I should be continually able to make new attempts, while
those appointed to examine my dungeon seemed, as it were, blinded
and bewildered. A proof this, how easy it is to deceive the
credulous, and whence have originated witchcraft, prophecies, and
miracles.

CHAPTER IV.

My last undertaking had employed me more than twelve months,
and so weakened me that I appeared little better than a
skeleton. Notwithstanding the greatness of my spirit, I
should have sunk into despondency, at seeing an end like this to
all my labours, had I not still cherished a secret hope of
escaping, founded on the friends I had gained among the
officers.

I soon felt the effects of the loss of my bed, and was a
second time attacked by a violent fever, which would this time
certainly have consumed me had not the officers, unknown to the
governor, treated me with all possible compassion.
Bruckhausen alone continued my enemy, and the slave of his
orders; on his day of examination rules and commands in all their
rigour were observed, nor durst I free myself from my irons, till
I had for some weeks remarked those parts on which he invariably
fixed his attention. I then cut through the link, and
closed up the vacancy with bread. My hands I could always
draw out, especially after illness had consumed the flesh off my
bones. Half a year had elapsed before I had recovered
sufficient strength to undertake, anew, labours like the
past.

Necessity at length taught me the means of driving Bruckhausen
from my dungeon, and of inducing him to commit his office to
another. I learnt his olfactory nerves were somewhat
delicate, and whenever I heard the doors unbar, I took care to
make a stir in my night-table. This made him give back, and
at length he would come no farther than the door. Such are
the hard expedients of a poor unhappy prisoner!

One day he came, bloated with pride, just after a courier had
brought the news of victory, and spoke of the Austrians, and the
august person of the Empress-Queen with so much virulence, that,
at last, enraged almost to madness, I snatched the sword of an
officer from its sheath, and should certainly have ended him, had
he not made a hasty retreat. From that day forward he durst
no more come without guards to examine the dungeon. Two men
always preceded him, with their bayonets fixed, and their pieces
presented, behind whom he stood at the door. This was
another fortunate incident, as I dreaded only his
examination.

The following anecdote will afford a specimen of this
man’s understanding. While digging in the earth I
found a cannon-ball, and laid it in the middle of my
prison. When he came to examine—“What in the
name of God is that?” said he. “It is a part of
the ammunition,” answered I, “that my Familiar brings
me. The cannon will be here anon, and you will then see
fine sport!” He was astonished, told this to others,
nor could conceive such a ball might by any natural means enter
my prison.

I wrote a satire on him, when the late Landgrave of
Hesse-Cassel was governor of Magdeburg; and I had permission to
write as will hereafter appear: the Landgrave gave it to him to
read himself; and so gross was his conception, that though his
own phraseology was introduced, part of his history and his
character painted, yet he did not perceive the jest, but laughed
heartily with the hearers. The Landgrave was highly
diverted, and after I obtained my freedom, restored me the
manuscript written in my own blood.

About the time that my last attempt at escaping failed,
General Krusemarck came to my prison, whom I had formerly lived
with in habits of intimacy, when cornet of the body guard.
Without testifying friendship, esteem, or compassion, he asked,
among other things, in an authoritative tone, how I could employ
my time to prevent tediousness? I answered in as haughty a
mood as he interrogated: for never could misfortune bend my
mind. I told him, “I always could find sources of
entertainment in my own thoughts; and that, as for my dreams, I
imagined they would at least be as peaceful and pleasant as those
of my oppressors.” “Had you in time,”
replied he, “curbed this fervour of yours, had you asked
pardon of the King, perhaps you would have been in very different
circumstances; but he who has committed an offence in which he
obstinately persists, endeavouring only to obtain freedom by
seducing men from their duty, deserves no better fate.”

Justly was my anger roused! “Sir,” answered
I, “you are a general of the King of Prussia, I am an
Austrian captain. My royal mistress will protect, perhaps
deliver me, or, at least, revenge my death; I have a conscience
void of reproach. You, yourself, well know I have not
deserved these chains. I place my hope in time, and the
justness of my cause, calumniated and condemned, as I have been,
without legal sentence or hearing. In such a situation, the
philosopher will always be able to brave and despise the
tyrant.”

He departed with threats, and his last words were, “The
bird shall soon be taught to sing another tune.” The
effects of this courteous visit were soon felt. An order
came that I should be prevented sleeping, and that the sentinels
should call, and wake me every quarter of an hour; which dreadful
order was immediately executed.

This was indeed a punishment intolerable to nature! Yet
did custom at length teach me to answer in my sleep. Four
years did this unheard of cruelty continue! The noble
Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel at length put an end to it a year
before I was released from my dungeon, and once again, in mercy,
suffered me to sleep in peace.

Under this new affliction, I wrote an Elegy which may be found
in the second volume of my works, a few lines of which I shall
cite.

Wake me: Again the quarter strikes!
Call loud
Rip up all my bleeding wounds, and shrink not!
Yet think ’tis I that answer, God that hears!
To every wretch in chains sleep is permitted:
I, I alone, am robb’d of this last refuge
Of sinking nature! Hark! Again they thunder!
Again they iterate yells of Trenck and death.

With whom these orders originated, unexampled in the history
even of tyranny, I shall not venture to say. The major, who
was my friend, advised me to persist in not answering. I
followed his advice; and it produced this good effect that we
mutually forced each other to a capitulation: they restored me my
bed, and I was obliged to reply.

Immediately after this regulation, the sub-governor, General
Borck, my bitter enemy, became insane, was dispossessed of his
post, and Lieutenant-General Reichmann, the benevolent friend of
humanity, was made sub-governor.

About the same time the Court fled from Berlin, and the Queen,
the Prince of Prussia, the Princess Amelia, and the Margrave
Henry, chose Magdeburg for their residence. Bruckhausen
grew more polite, probably perceiving I was not wholly deserted,
and that it was yet possible I might obtain my freedom. The
cruel are usually cowards, and there is reason to suppose
Bruckhausen was actuated by his fears to treat me with greater
respect.

The worthy new governor had not indeed the power to lighten my
chains, or alter the general regulations; what he could, he
did. If he did not command, he connived at the doors being
occasionally at first, and at length, daily, kept open some
hours, to admit daylight and fresh air. After a time, they
were open the whole day, and only closed by the officers when
they returned from their visit to Walrabe.

Having light, I began to carve, with a nail, on the pewter cup
in which I drank, satirical verses and various figures, and
attained so much perfection that my cups, at last, were
considered as master-pieces, both of engraving and invention, and
were sold dear, as rare curiosities. My first attempts were
rude, as may well be imagined. My cup was carried to town,
and shown to visitors by the governor, who sent me another.
I improved, and each of the inspecting officers wished to possess
one. I grew more expert, and spent a whole year in this
employment, which thus passed swiftly away. The perfection
I had now acquired obtained me the permission of candle-light,
and this continued till I was restored to freedom.

The King gave orders these cups should all be inspected by
government, because I wished, by my verses and devices, to inform
the world of my fate. But this command was not obeyed; the
officers made merchandise of my cups, and sold them at last for
twelve ducats each. Their value increased so much, when I
was released from prison, that they are now to be found in
various museums throughout Europe. Twelve years ago the
late Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel presented one of them to my wife;
and another came, in a very unaccountable manner, from the
Queen-Dowager of Prussia to Paris. I have given prints of
both these, with the verses they contained, in my works; whence
it may be seen how artificially they were engraved.

A third fell into the hands of Prince Augustus Lobkowitz, then
a prisoner of war at Magdeburg, who, on his return to Vienna,
presented it to the Emperor, who placed it in his museum.
Among other devices on this cup, was a landscape, representing a
vineyard and husbandmen, and under it the following
words:—By my labours my vineyard flourished, and
I hoped to have gathered the fruit; but Ahab
came. Alas! for Naboth.

The allusion was so pointed, both to the wrongs done me in
Vienna, and my sufferings in Prussia, that it made a very strong
impression on the Empress-Queen, who immediately commanded her
minister to make every exertion for my deliverance. She
would probably at last have even restored me to my estates, had
not the possessors of them been so powerful, or had she herself
lived one year longer. To these my engraved cups was I
indebted for being once more remembered at Vienna. On the
same cup, also, was another engraving of a bird in a cage, held
by a Turk, with the following inscription:—The bird
sings even in the storm; open his cage, break his
fetters, ye friends of virtue, and his songs shall
be the delight of your abodes!

There is another remarkable circumstance attending these
cups. All were forbidden under pain of death to hold
conversation with me, or to supply me with pen and ink; yet by
this open permission of writing what I pleased on pewter, was I
enabled to inform the world of all I wished, and to prove a man
of merit was oppressed. The difficulties of this engraving
will be conceived, when it is remembered that I worked by
candle-light on shining pewter, attained the art of giving light
and shade, and by practice could divide a cup into two-and-thirty
compartments as regularly with a stroke of the hand as with a
pair of compasses. The writing was so minute that it could
only be read with glasses. I could use but one hand, both,
being separated by the bar, and therefore held the cup between my
knees. My sole instrument was a sharpened nail, yet did I
write two lines on the rim only.

My labour became so excessive, that I was in danger of
distraction or blindness. Everybody wished for cups, and I
wished to oblige everybody, so that I worked eighteen hours a
day. The reflection of the light from the pewter was
injurious to my eyes, and the labour of invention for apposite
subjects and verses was most fatiguing. I had learnt only
architectural drawing.

Enough of these cups, which procured me so much honour, so
many advantages, and helped to shorten so many mournful
hours. My greatest encumbrance was the huge iron collar,
with its enormous appendages, which, when suffered to press the
arteries in the back of my neck, occasioned intolerable
headaches. I sat too much, and a third time fell
sick. A Brunswick sausage, secretly given me by a friend,
occasioned an indigestion, which endangered my life; a putrid
fever followed, and my body was reduced to a skeleton.
Medicines, however, were conveyed to me by the officers, and, now
and then, warm food.

After my recovery, I again thought it necessary to endeavour
to regain my liberty. I had but forty louis-d’ors
remaining, and these I could not get till I had first broken up
the flooring.

Lieutenant Sonntag was consumptive, and obtained his
discharge. I supplied bins with money to defray the
expenses of his journey, and with an order that four hundred
florins should be annually paid him from my effects till his
death or my release. I commissioned him to seek an audience
from the Empress, endeavour to excite her compassion in my
behalf, and to remit me four thousand florins, for which I gave a
proper acquittance, by the way of Hamburgh. The money-draft
was addressed to my administrators, Counsellors Kempf and
Huttner.

But no one, alas! in Vienna, wished my return; they had
already begun to share my property, of which they never rendered
me an account. Poor Sonntag was arrested as a spy,
imprisoned, ill treated for some weeks, and, at last, when naked
and destitute, received a hundred florins, and was escorted
beyond the Austrian confines. The worthy man fell a
shameful sacrifice to his honesty, could never obtain an audience
of the Empress, and returned poor and miserable on foot to
Berlin, where he was twelve months secretly maintained by his
brother, and with whom he died. He wrote an account of all
this to the good Knoblauch, my Hamburgh agent, and I, from my
small store, sent him a hundred ducats.

How much must I despair of finding any place of refuge on
earth, hearing accounts like these from Vienna.

A friend, whom I will never name, by the aid of one of the
lieutenants, secretly visited me, and supplied me with six
hundred ducats. The same friend, in the year 1763, paid
four thousand florins to the imperial envoy, Baron Reidt, at
Berlin, for the furthering of my freedom, as I shall presently
more fully show. Thus I had once more money.

About this time the French army advanced to within five miles
of Magdeburg. This important fortress was, at that time,
the key of the whole Prussian power. It required a garrison
of sixteen thousand men, and contained not more than fifteen
hundred. The French might have marched in unopposed, and at
once have put an end to the war. The officers brought me
all the news, and my hopes rose as they approached. What
was my astonishment when the major informed me that three waggons
had entered the town in the night, had been sent back loaded with
money, and that the French were retreating. This, I can
assure my readers, on my honour, is literally truth, to the
eternal disgrace of the French general. The major, who
informed me, was himself an eye-witness of the fact. It was
pretended the money was for the army of the King, but everybody
could guess whither it was going; it left the town without a
convoy, and the French were then in the neighbourhood. Such
were the allies of Maria Theresa; the receivers of this money are
known in Paris. Not only were my hopes this way frustrated,
but in Russia likewise, where the Countess of Bestuchef and the
Chancellor had fallen into disgrace.

I now imagined another, and, indeed, a fearful and dangerous
project. The garrison of Magdeburg at this moment consisted
but of nine hundred militia, who were discontented men. Two
majors and two lieutenants were in my interest. The guard
of the Star Fort amounted but to a hundred and fifteen men.
Fronting the gate of this fort was the town gate, guarded only by
twelve men and an inferior officer; beside these lay the
casemates, in which were seven thousand Croat prisoners.
Baron K---y, a captain, and prisoner of war, also was in our
interest, and would hold his comrades ready at a certain place
and time to support my undertaking. Another friend was,
under some pretence, to hold his company ready, with their
muskets loaded, and the plan was such that I should have had four
hundred men in arms ready to carry it into execution.

The officer was to have placed the two men we most suspected
and feared, as sentinels over me; he was to command them to take
away my bed, and when encumbered, I was to spring out, and shut
them in the prison. Clothing and arms were to have been
procured, and brought me into my prison; the town-gate was to
have been surprised; I was to have run to the casemate, and
called to the Croats, “Trenck to arms!” My
friends, at the same instant, were to break forth, and the plan
was so well concerted that it could not have failed.
Magdeburg, the magazine of the army, the royal treasury, arsenal,
all would have been mine; and sixteen thousand men, who were then
prisoners of war, would have enabled me to keep possession.

The most essential secret, by which all this was to have been
effected, I dare not reveal; suffice it to say, everything was
provided for, everything made secure; I shall only add that the
garrison, in the harvest months, was exceedingly weakened,
because the farmers paid the captains a florin per man each day,
and the men for their labour likewise, to obtain hands. The
sub-governor connived at the practice.

One Lieutenant G--- procured a furlough to visit his friends;
but, supplied by me with money, he went to Vienna. I
furnished him with a letter, addressed to Counsellors Kempf and
Huttner, including a draft for two thousand ducats; wherein I
said that, by these means, I should not only soon be at liberty,
but in possession of the fortress of Magdeburg; and that the
bearer was entrusted with the rest.

The lieutenant came safe to Vienna, underwent a thousand
interrogatories, and his name was repeatedly asked. This,
fortunately, he concealed. They advised him not to be
concerned in so dangerous an undertaking; told him I had not so
much money due to me, and gave him, instead of two thousand
ducats, one thousand florins. With these he left Vienna,
but with very prudent suspicions which prevented him ever
returning to Magdeburg. A month had scarcely passed before
the late Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, then chief governor, entered
my prison, showed me my letter, and demanded to know who had
carried the letter, and who were to free me and betray
Magdeburg. Whether the letter was sent immediately to the
King or the governor I know not; it is sufficient that I was once
more betrayed at Vienna. The truth was, the administrators
of my effects had acted as if I were deceased, and did not choose
to refund two thousand ducats. They wished not I should
obtain my freedom, in a manner that would have obliged the
government to have rewarded me, and restore the effects they had
embezzled and the estates they had seized. What happened
afterwards at Vienna, which will be related in its place, will
incontestably prove this surmise to be well founded.

These bad men did not, it is true, die in the manner they
ought, but they are all dead, and I am still living, an honest,
though poor man: they did not die so. Be this read and
remembered by their luxurious heirs, who refuse to restore my
children to their rights.

CHAPTER V.

My consternation on the appearance of the Landgrave, with my
letter in his hand, may well be supposed; I had the presence of
mind, however, to deny my handwriting, and affect astonishment at
so crafty a trick. The Landgrave endeavoured to convict me,
told me what Lieutenant Kemnitz had repeated at Vienna concerning
my possessing myself of Magdeburg, and thereby showed me how
fully I had been betrayed. But as no such person existed as
Lieutenant Kemnitz, and as my friend had fortunately concealed
his name, the mystery remained impenetrable, especially as no one
could conceive how a prisoner, in my situation, could seduce or
subdue the whole garrison. The worthy prince left my
prison, apparently satisfied with my defence; his heart felt no
satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.

The next day a formal examination was taken, at which the
sub-governor Reichmann presided. I was accused as a traitor
to my country; but I obstinately denied my handwriting.
Proofs or witnesses there were none, and in answer to the
principal charge, I said, “I was no criminal, but a man
calumniated, illegally imprisoned, and loaded with irons; that
the King, in the year 1746, had cashiered me, and confiscated my
parental inheritance; that therefore the laws of nature enforced
me to seek honour and bread in a foreign service; and that,
finding these in Austria, I became an officer and a faithful
subject of the Empress-Queen; that I had been a second time
unoffendingly imprisoned; that here I was treated as the worst of
malefactors, and my only resource was to seek my liberty by such
means as I could; were I therefore in this attempt to destroy
Magdeburg, and occasion the loss of a thousand lives, I should
still be guiltless. Had I been heard and legally sentenced,
previous to my imprisonment at Glatz, I should have been, and
still continued, a criminal; but not having been guilty of any
small, much less of any great crime, equal to my punishment, if
such crime could be, I was therefore not accountable for
consequences; I owed neither fidelity nor duty to the King of
Prussia; for by the word of his power he had deprived me of
bread, honour, country, and freedom.”

Here the examination ended, without further discovery; the
officers, however, falling under suspicion, were all removed, and
thus I lost my best friends; yet it was not long before I had
gained two others, which was no difficult matter, as I knew the
national character, and that none but poor men were made militia
officers. Thus was the governor’s precaution
fruitless, and almost everybody secretly wished I might obtain my
freedom.

I shall never forget the noble manner in which I was treated
on this occasion by the Landgrave. This I personally
acknowledged, some years afterwards, in the city of Cassel, when
I heard many things which confirmed all my surmises concerning
Vienna. The Landgrave received me with all grace, favour,
and distinction. I revere his memory, and seek to honour
his name. He was the friend of misfortune. When I not
long afterwards fell ill, he sent me his own physician, and meat
from his table, nor would he suffer me, during two months, to be
wakened by the sentinels. He likewise removed the dreadful
collar from my neck; for which he was severely reprimanded by the
King, as he himself has since assured me.

I might fill a volume with incidents attending two other
efforts to escape, but I will not weary the reader’s
patience with too much repetition. I shall merely give an
abstract of both.

When I had once more gained the officers, I made a new attempt
at mining my way out. Not wanting for implements, my chains
and the flooring were soon cut through, and all was so carefully
replaced that I was under no fear of examination. I here
found my concealed money, pistols, and other necessaries, but
till I had rid myself of some hundredweight of sand, it was
impossible to proceed. For this purpose I made two
different openings in the floor: out of the real hole I threw a
great quantity of sand into my prison; after which I closed it
with all possible care. I then worked at the second with so
much noise, that I was certain they must hear me without.
About midnight the doors began to thunder, and in they came,
detecting me, as I intended they should. None of them could
conceive why I should wish to break out under the door, where
there was a triple guard to pass. The sentinels remained,
and in the morning prisoners were sent to wheel away the
sand. The hole was walled up and boarded, and my fetters
were renewed. They laughed at the ridiculousness of my
undertaking, but punished me by depriving me of my light and bed,
which, however, in a fortnight were both restored. Of the
other hole, out of which most of the earth had been thrown, no
one was aware. The major and lieutenant were too much my
friends to remark that they had removed thrice the quantity of
sand the false opening could contain. They supposed this
strange attempt having failed, it would be my last, and
Bruckhausen grew negligent.

The governor and sub-governor both visited me after some
weeks, but far from imitating the brutality of Borck, the
Landgrave spoke to me with mildness, promised me his interest to
regain my freedom, when peace should be concluded; told me I had
more friends than I supposed, and assured me I had not been
forgotten by the Court at Vienna.

He promised me every alleviation, and I gave him my word I
would no more attempt to escape while he remained governor.
My manner enforced conviction and he ordered my neck-collar to be
taken off, my window to be unclosed, my doors to be left open two
hours every day, a stove to be put in my dungeon, finer linen for
my shirts, and paper to amuse myself by writing my
thoughts. The sheets were to be numbered when given, and
then returned, by the town-major, that I might not abuse this
liberty.

Ink was not allowed me, I therefore pricked my fingers,
suffered the blood to trickle into a pot; by these means I
procured a substitute for ink, both to write and draw.

I now engraved my cups, and versified. I had opportunity
to display my abilities to awaken compassion. My emulation
was increased by knowing that my works were seen at Courts, that
the Princess Amelia and the Queen herself testified their
satisfaction. I had subjects to engrave from sent me; and
the wretch whom the King intended to bury alive, whose name no
man was to mention, never was more famous than while he vented
his groans in his dungeon. My writings produced their
effect, and really regained my freedom. To my cultivation
of the sciences and presence of mind I am indebted for all; these
all the power of Frederic could not deprive me of.
Yes! This liberty I procured, though he answered all
petitions in my behalf—“He is a dangerous man: and so
long as I live he shall never see the light!” Yet
have I seen it during his life: after his death I have seen it
without revenging myself, otherwise than by proving my virtue to
a monarch who oppressed because he knew me not, because he would
not recall the hasty sentence of anger, or own he might be
mistaken. He died convinced of my integrity, yet without
affording me retribution! Man is formed by misfortune;
virtue is active in adversity. It is indifferent to me that
the companions of my youth have their ears gratified, delighted
with the titles of General! Field-Marshal I have learned to
live without such additions; I am known in my works.

I returned to my dungeon. Here, after my last conference
with the Landgrave, I waited my fate with a mind more at ease
than that of a prince in a palace. The newspapers they
brought me bespoke approaching peace, on which my dependence was
placed, and I passed eighteen months calmly, and without further
attempt to escape.

The father of the Landgrave died; and Magdeburg now lost its
governor. The worthy Reichmann, however, testified for me
all compassion and esteem; I had books, and my time was
employed. Imprisonment and chains to me were become
habitual, and freedom in hope approached.

About this time I wrote the poems, “The Macedonian
Hero,” “The Dream Realised,” and some
fables. The best of my poems are now lost to me. The
mind’s sensibility when the body is imprisoned is strongly
roused, nor can all the aids of the library equal this
advantage. Perhaps I may recover some in Berlin; if so, the
world may learn what my thoughts then were. When I was at
liberty, I had none but such as I remembered, and these I
committed to writing. On my first visit to the Landgrave of
Hesse-Cassel I received a volume of them written in my own blood;
but there were eight of these which I shall never regain.

The death of Elizabeth, the deposing of Peter III., and the
accession of Catherine II. produced peace. On the receipt
of this intelligence I tried to provide for all
contingencies. The worthy Captain K--- had opened me a
correspondence with Vienna: I was assured of support; but was
assured the administrators and those who possessed my estates
would throw every impediment in the way of freedom. I tried
to persuade another officer to aid my escape, but in vain.

I therefore opened my old hole, and my friends assisted me to
disembarrass myself of sand. My money melted away, but they
provided me with tools, gunpowder, and a good sword. I had
remained so long quiet that my flooring was not examined.

My intent was to wait the peace; and should I continue in
chains, then would I have my subterranean passage to the rampart
ready for escape. For my further security, an old
lieutenant had purchased a house in the suburbs, where I might
lie concealed. Gummern, in Saxony, is two miles from
Magdeburg; here a friend, with two good horses, was to wait a
year, to ride on the glacis of Klosterbergen on the first and
fifteenth of each month, and at a given signal to hasten to my
assistance.

My passage had to be ready in case of emergency; I removed the
upper planking, broke up the two beds, cut the boards into chips,
and burnt them in my stove. By this I obtained so much
additional room as to proceed half way with my mine. Linen
again was brought me, sand-bags made, and thus I successfully
proceeded to all but the last operation. Everything was so
well concealed that I had nothing to fear from inspection,
especially as the new come garrison could not know what was the
original length of the planks.

I must here relate a dreadful accident, which I cannot
remember without shuddering, and the terror of which has often
haunted my very dreams.

While mining under the rampart, as I was carrying out the
sand-bag, I struck my foot against a stone which fell down and
closed up the passage.

What was my horror to find myself buried alive! After a
short reflection, I began to work the sand away from the side,
that I might turn round. There were some feet of empty
space, into which I threw the sand as I worked it away; but the
small quantity of air soon made it so foul that I a thousand
times wished myself dead, and made several attempts to strangle
myself. Thirst almost deprived me of my senses, but as
often as I put my mouth to the sand I inhaled fresh air. My
sufferings were incredible, and I imagine I passed eight hours in
this situation. My spirits fainted; again I recovered and
began to labour, but the earth was as high as my chin, and I had
no more space where I might throw the sand. I made a more
desperate effort, drew my body into a ball, and turned round; I
now faced the stone; there being an opening at the top, I
respired fresher air. I rooted away the sand under the
stone, and let it sink so that I might creep over; at length I
once more arrived in my dungeon!

The morning was advanced; I sat down so exhausted that I
supposed it was impossible I had strength to conceal my
hole. After half an hour’s rest, my fortitude
returned: again I went to work, and scarcely had I ended before
my visitors approached.

They found me pale: I complained of headache, and continued
some days affected by the fatigue I had sustained. After a
time strength returned; but perhaps of all my nights of horror
this was the most horrible. I repeatedly dreamt I was
buried in the centre of the earth; and now, though three and
twenty years are elapsed, my sleep is still haunted by this
vision.

After this accident, when I worked in my cavity, I hung a
knife round my neck, that if I should be enclosed I might shorten
my miseries. Over the stone that had fallen several others
hung tottering, under which I was obliged to creep.
Nothing, however, could deter me from trying to obtain my
liberty.

When my passage was ready, I wrote letters to my friends at
Vienna, and also a memorial to my Sovereign. When the
militia left Magdeburg and the regulars returned, I took leave of
my friends who had behaved so benevolently. Several weeks
elapsed before they departed and I learnt that General Reidt was
appointed ambassador from Vienna to Berlin.

I had seen the world; I knew this General was not averse to a
bribe: I wrote him a letter, conjuring him to act with ardour in
my behalf. I enclosed a draft for six thousand florins on
my effects at Vienna, and he received four thousand from one of
my relations. I have to thank these ten thousand florins
for my freedom, which I obtained nine months after. My
vouchers show the six thousand florins were paid in April, 1763,
to the order of General Reidt. The other four thousand I
repaid, when at liberty, to my friend.

I received intelligence before the garrison departed that no
stipulation had been made on my behalf at the peace of
Hubertsberg. The Vienna plenipotentiaries, after the
articles were signed, mentioned my name to Hertzberg, with but
few assurances of every effort being made to move Frederic, a
promise on which I could much better rely than on my protectors
at Vienna, who had left me in misfortune. I determined to
wait three months longer, and should I still find myself
neglected, to owe my escape to myself.

On the change of the garrison, the officers were more
difficult to gain than the former. The majors obeyed their
orders; their help was unnecessary; but still I sighed for my old
friends. I had only ammunition-bread again for food.

My time hung very heavy; everything was examined on the change
of the garrison. A stricter scrutiny might occur, and my
projects be discovered. This had nearly been effected, as I
shall here relate. I had so tamed a mouse that it would eat
from my mouth; in this small animal I discovered proofs of
intelligence.

This mouse had nearly been my ruin. I had diverted
myself with it one night; it had been nibbling at my door and
capering on a trencher. The sentinels hearing our
amusement, called the officers: they heard also, and thought all
was not right. At daybreak the town-major, a smith, and
mason entered; strict search was begun; flooring, walls, chains,
and my own person were all scrutinised, but in vain. They
asked what was the noise they had heard; I mentioned the mouse,
whistled, and it came and jumped upon my shoulder. Orders
were given I should be deprived of its society; I entreated they
would spare its life. The officer on guard gave me his word
he would present it to a lady, who would treat it with
tenderness.

He took it away and turned it loose in the guardroom, but it
was tame to me alone, and sought a hiding place. It had
fled to my prison door, and, at the hour of visitation, ran into
my dungeon, testifying its joy by leaping between my legs.
It is worthy of remark that it had been taken away blindfold,
that is to say, wrapped in a handkerchief. The guard-room
was a hundred paces from the dungeon.

All were desirous of obtaining this mouse, but the major
carried it off for his lady; she put it into a cage, where it
pined, and in a few days died.

The loss of this companion made me quite melancholy, yet, on
the last examination, I perceived it had so eaten the bread by
which I had concealed the crevices I had made in cutting the
floor, that the examiners must be blind not to discover
them. I was convinced my faithful little friend had fallen
a necessary victim to its master’s safety. This
accident determined me not to wait the three months.

I have related that horses were to be kept ready, on the first
and fifteenth, and I only suffered the first of August to pass,
because I would not injure Major Pfuhl, who had treated me with
more compassion than his comrades, and whose day of visitation it
was. On the fifteenth I determined to fly. This
resolution formed, I waited in expectation of the day, when a new
and remarkable succession of accidents happened.

An alarm of fire had obliged the major to repair to the town;
he committed the keys to the lieutenant. The latter, coming
to visit me, asked—“Dear Trenck, have you never,
during seven years that you have been under the guard of the
militia, found a man like Schell?” “Alas!
sir,” answered I, “such friends are rare; the will of
many has been good; each knew I could make his fortune, but none
had courage enough for so desperate an attempt! Money I
have distributed freely, but have received little
help.”

“How do you obtain money in this dungeon?”
“From a correspondent at Vienna, by whom I am still
supplied.” “If I can serve you, command me: I
will do it without asking any return.” So saying, I
took fifty ducats from between the panels, and gave them to the
lieutenant. At first he refused, but at length accepted
them with fear. He left me, promised to return, pretended
to shut the door, and kept his word. He now said debt
obliged him to desert; that this had long been his determination,
and that, desirous to assist me at the same time if he could find
the means, I had only to show how this might be effected.

We continued two hours in conference: a plan was formed,
approved, and a certainty of success demonstrated; especially
when I told him I had two horses waiting. We vowed eternal
friendship; I gave him fifty ducats, and his debts, not amounting
to more than two hundred rix-dollars, which he never could have
discharged out of his pay.

He was to prepare four keys to resemble those of my dungeon;
the latter were to be exchanged on the day of flight, being kept
in the guard-room while the major was with General Walrabe.
He was to give the grenadiers on guard leave of absence, or send
them into the town on various pretences. The sentinels he
was to call from their duty, and those placed over me were to be
sent into my dungeon to take away my bed; while encumbered with
this, I was to spring out and lock them in, after which we were
to mount our horses, which were kept ready, and ride to
Gummern. Every thing was to be prepared within a week, when
he was to mount guard. We had scarcely formed our project
before the sentinels called the major was coming; he accordingly
barred the door, and the major passed to General Walrabe.

No man was happier than myself; my hopes of escape were
triple; the mediation at Berlin, the mine I had made, and my
friend the lieutenant.

When most my mind ought to have been clear, I seemed to have
lost my understanding. I came to a resolution which will
appear extravagant and pitiable. I was stupid enough, mad
enough, to form the design of casting myself on the magnanimity
of the Great Frederic! Should this fail, I still thought my
lieutenant a saviour.

Having heated my imagination with this scheme, I waited the
visitation with anxiety. The major entered, I bespoke him
thus:

“I know, sir, the great Prince Ferdinand is again in
Magdeburg. Inform him that he may examine my prison, double
the sentinels, and give me his commands, stating what hour will
please him I should make my appearance on the glacis of
Klosterbergen. If I prove myself capable of this, I then
hope for the protection of Prince Ferdinand: and that he will
relate my proceeding to the King, who may he convinced of my
innocence.”

The major was astonished; the proposal he held to be
ridiculous, and the performance impossible. I persisted; he
returned with the sub-governor, Reichmann, the town-major,
Riding, and the major of inspection. The answer they
delivered was, that the Prince promised me his protection, the
King’s favour, and a release from my chains, should I prove
my assertion. I required they would appoint a time; they
ridiculed the thing as impossible, and said that it would be
sufficient could I prove the practicability of such a scheme; but
should I refuse, they would break up the flooring, and place
sentinels in my dungeon, adding, the governor would not admit of
any breaking out.

After promises of good faith, I disencumbered myself of my
chains, raised my flooring, gave them my implements, and two
keys, my friends had procured me, to the doors of the
subterranean gallery. This gallery I desired them to sound
with their sword hilts, at the place through which I was to
break, which might be done in a few minutes. I described
the road I was to take through the gallery, informed them that
two of the doors had not been shut for six months, and to the
others they had the keys; adding, I had horses waiting at the
glacis, that would be now ready; the stables for which were
unknown to them. They went, examined, returned, put
questions, which I answered with precision. They left me
with seeming friendship, came back, told me the Prince was
astonished at what he had heard, that he wished me all happiness,
and then took me unfettered, to the guard-house. The major
came in the evening, treated us with a supper, assured me
everything would happen to my wishes, and that Prince Ferdinand
had written to Berlin.

The guard was reinforced next day. The whole guard
loaded with ball before my eyes, the drawbridges were raised in
open day, and precautions were taken as if I intended to make
attempts as desperate as those I had made at Glatz.

I now saw workmen employed on my dungeon, and carts bringing
quarry-stones. The officers on guard behaved with kindness,
kept a good table, at which I ate; but two sentinels, and an
under-officer, never quitted the guard-room. Conversation
was cautious, and this continued five or six days; at length, it
was the lieutenant’s turn to mount guard; he appeared to be
as friendly as formerly, but conference was difficult; he found
an opportunity to express his astonishment at my ill-timed
discovery, told me the Prince knew nothing of the affair, and
that the report through the garrison was, I had been surprised in
making a new attempt.

My dungeon was completed in a week. The town-major
re-conducted me to it. My foot was chained to the wall with
links twice as strong as formerly; the remainder of my irons were
never after added.

The dungeon was paved with flag-stones. That part of my
money only was saved which I had concealed in the panels of the
door, and the chimney of my stove; some thirty louis-d’ors,
hidden about my clothes, were taken from me.

While the smith was riveting my chains, I addressed the
sub-governor. “Is this the fulfilment of the pledge
of the Prince? Think not you deceive me, I am acquainted
with the false reports that have been spread; the truth will soon
come to light, and the unworthy be put to shame. Nay, I
forewarn you that Trenck shall not be much longer in your power;
for were you to build your dungeon of steel, it would be
insufficient to contain me.”

They smiled at me. Reichmann told me I might soon obtain
my freedom in a proper manner. My firm reliance on my
friend, the lieutenant, gave me a degree of confidence that
amazed them all.

It is necessary to explain this affair. When I obtained
my liberty, I visited Prince Ferdinand. He informed me the
majors had not made a true report. Their story was, they
had caught me at work, and, had it not been for their diligence,
I should have made my escape. Prince Ferdinand heard the
truth, and informed the King, who only waited an opportunity to
restore me to liberty.

Once more I was immured. I waited in hope for the day
when my deliverer was to mount guard. What again was my
despair when I saw another lieutenant! I buoyed myself up
with the hope that accident was the occasion of this; but I
remained three weeks, and saw him no more. I heard at
length that he had left the corps of grenadiers, and was no
longer to mount guard at the Star Fort. He has my
forgiveness, and I applaud myself for never having said anything
by which he might be injured. He might have repented his
promise, he might have trusted another friend with the
enterprise, and have been himself betrayed; but, be it as it may,
his absence cut off all hope.

I now repented my folly and vanity; I had brought my
misfortunes on myself. I had myself rendered my dungeon
impenetrable. Death would have followed but for the
dependence I placed in the court of Vienna.

The officers remarked the loss of my fortitude and
thoughtfulness; the verses I wrote were desponding. The
only comfort they could give was—“Patience, dear
Trenck; your condition cannot be worse; the King may not live for
ever.” Were I sick, they told me I might hope my
sufferings would soon have an end. If I recovered they
pitied me, and lamented their continuance. What man of my
rank and expectations ever endured what I did, ever was treated
as I have been treated!

CHAPTER VI.

Peace had been concluded nine months. I was
forgotten. At last, when I supposed all hope lost, the 25th
of December, and the day of freedom, came. At the hour of
parade, Count Schlieben, lieutenant of the guards, brought orders
for my release!

The sub-governor supposed me weaker in intellect than I was,
and would not too suddenly tell me these tidings. He knew
not the presence of mind, the fortitude, which the dangers I had
seen had made habitual.

My doors for the last time
resounded! Several people entered; their countenances were
cheerful, and the sub-governor at their head at length said,
“This time, my dear Trenck, I am the messenger of good
news. Prince Ferdinand has prevailed on the King to let
your irons be taken off.” Accordingly, to work went
the smith. “You shall also,” continued he,
“have a better apartment.” “I am free,
then,” said I. “Speak! fear not! I can
moderate my transports.”

“Then you are free!” was the reply.

The sub-governor first embraced me, and afterwards his
attendants.

He asked me what clothes I would wish. I answered, the
uniform of my regiment. The tailor took my measure.
Reichmann told him it must be made by the morning. The man
excused himself because it was Christmas Eve. “So,
then, this gentleman must remain in his dungeon because it is
holiday with you.” The tailor promised to be
ready.

I was taken to the guard-room, congratulations were universal,
and the town-major administered the oath customary to all state
prisoners.

1st. That I should avenge myself on no man.

2nd. That I should neither enter the Prussian nor Saxon
states.

3rd. That I should never relate by speech or in writing
what had happened to me.

4th. And that, so long as the King lived, I should
neither serve in a civil nor military capacity.

Count Schlieben delivered me a letter from the imperial
minister, General Reidt, to the following purport:—That he
rejoiced at having found an opportunity of obtaining my liberty
from the King, and that I must obey the requisitions of Count
Schlieben, whose orders were to accompany me to Prague.

“Yes, dear Trenck,” said Schlieben, “I am to
conduct you through Dresden to Prague, with orders not to suffer
you to speak to any one on the road. I have received three
hundred ducats, to defray the expenses of travelling. As
all things cannot be prepared today, the, sub-governor has
determined we shall depart to-morrow night.”

I acquiesced, and Count Schlieben remained with me; the others
returned to town, and I dined with the major and officers on
guard, with General Walrabe in his prison.

Once at liberty, I walked about the fortifications, to collect
the money I had concealed in my dungeon. To every man on
guard I gave a ducat, to the sentinels, each three, and ten
ducats to be divided among the relief-guard. I sent the
officer on guard a present from Prague, and the remainder of my
money I bestowed on the widow of the worthy Gelfhardt. He
was no more, and she had entrusted the thousand florins to a
young soldier, who, spending them too freely, was suspected,
betrayed her, and she passed two years in prison. Gelfhardt
never received any punishment; he was in the field. Had he
left any children, I should have provided for them. To the
widow of the man who hung himself before my prison door, in the
year 1756, I gave thirty ducats, lent me by Schlieben.

The night was riotous, the guard made merry, and I passed most
of it in their company. I was visited by all the generals
of the garrison on Christmas morning, for I was not allowed to
enter the town. I dressed, viewed myself in the glass, and
found pleasure; but the tumult of my passions, the
congratulations I received, and the vivacity round me, prevented
my remembering incidents minutely.

Yet how wonderful an alteration in the countenances of those
by whom I had been guarded! I was treated with friendship,
attention, and flattery. And why? Because these
fetters had dropped off which I had never justly borne.

Evening came, and with it Count Schlieben, a waggon, and four
post-horses. After an affecting farewell, we
departed. I shed tears at leaving Magdeburg. It seems
strange that I lived here ten years, yet never saw the town.

The duration of my imprisonment at Magdeburg was nearly ten
years, and with the term of my imprisonment at Glatz, the time is
eleven years. Thus was I robbed of time, my body weakened,
my health impaired, so that in my decline of life, a second time,
I suffer the gloom and chains of the dungeon at Magdeburg.

The reader would now hope that my calamities were at an end;
yet, upon my honour, I would prefer the suffering of the Star
Fort to those I have since endured in Austria, especially while
Krugel and Zetto were my referendaries and curators.

At this moment I am obliged to be guarded in my
expressions. I have put my enemies to shame; but the hope
of justice or reward is vain. No rewards are bestowed on
him who, with the consciousness of integrity, demands, and does
not deplore. The facts I shall relate will seem incredible,
yet I have, in my own hands, the vouchers of their veracity.

“If my right hand is guilty of writing untruths in this
book, may the executioner sever it from my body, and, in the
memory of posterity, may I live a villain!”

I will proceed with my history.

On the 2nd of January I arrived, with Count Schlieben, at
Prague; the same day he delivered me to the governor, the Duke of
Deuxponts. He received me with kindness; we dined with him
two days, and all Prague were anxious to see a man who had
surmounted ten years of suffering so unheard of as mine.
Here I received three thousand florins, and paid General Reidt
his three hundred ducats, which he had advanced Count Schlieben,
for my journey, the repayment of which he demanded in his letter,
although he had received ten thousand florins. The expense
of returning I also paid to Schlieben, made him a present, and
provided myself with some necessaries. After remaining a
few days at Prague, a courier arrived from Vienna, to whom I was
obliged to pay forty florins, with an order from government to
bring me from Prague to Vienna. My sword was demanded;
Captain Count Wela, and two inferior officers, entered the
carriage, which I was obliged to purchase, in company with me,
and brought me to Vienna. I took up a thousand florins
more, in Prague, to defray these expenses, and was obliged, in
Vienna, to pay the captain fifty ducats for travelling charges
back.

I was brought back like a criminal, was sent as a prisoner to
the barracks, there kept in the chamber of Lieutenant Blonket,
with orders that I should be suffered to write to no one, speak
to no one, without a ticket from the counsellors Kempt or
Huttner.

Thus I remained six weeks; at length, the colonel of the
regiment of Poniatowsky, the present field-marshal, Count Alton,
spoke to me. I related what I supposed were the reasons of
my being kept a prisoner in Vienna; and to the exertions of this
man am I indebted that the intentions of my enemies were
frustrated, which were to have me imprisoned as insane in the
fortress of Glatz. Had they once removed me from Vienna, I
should certainly have pined away my life in a madhouse. Yet
I could never obtain justice against these men. The Empress
was persuaded that my brain was affected, and that I uttered
threats against the King of Prussia. The election of a king
of the Romans was then in agitation, and the court was
apprehensive lest I should offend the Prussian envoy.
General Reidt had been obliged to promise Frederic that I should
not appear in Vienna, and that they should hold a wary eye over
me. The Empress-Queen felt compassion for my supposed
disease, and asked if no assistance could be afforded me; to
which they answered, I had several times let blood, but that I
still was a dangerous man. They added, that I had
squandered four thousand florins in six days at Prague; that it
would be proper to appoint guardians to impede such
extravagancies.

Count Alton spoke of me and my hard destiny to the Countess
Parr, mistress of the ceremonies to the Empress-Queen. The
late Emperor entered the chamber, and asked whether I ever had
any lucid intervals. “May it please your
Majesty,” answered Alton, “he has been seven weeks in
my barracks, and I never met a more reasonable man. There
is mystery in this affair, or he could not be treated as a
madman. That he is not so in anywise I pledge my
honour.”

The next day the Emperor sent Count Thurn, grand-master of the
Archduke Leopold, to speak to me. In him I found an
enlightened philosopher, and a lover of his country. To him
I related how I had twice been betrayed, twice sold at Vienna,
during my imprisonment; to him showed that my administrators had
acted in this vile manner that I might be imprisoned for life,
and they remain in possession of my effects. We conversed
for two hours, during which many things were said that prudence
will not permit me to repeat. I gained his confidence, and
he continued my friend till death. He promised me
protection, and procured me an audience of the Emperor.

I spoke with freedom; the audience lasted an hour. At
length the Emperor retired into the next apartment. I saw
the tears drop from his eyes. I fell at his feet, and
wished for the presence of a Rubens or Apelles, to preserve a
scene so honourable to the memory of the monarch, and paint the
sensations of an innocent man, imploring the protection of a
compassionate prince. The Emperor tore himself from me, and
I departed with sensations such as only those can know who,
themselves being virtuous, have met with wicked men. I
returned to the barracks with joy, and an order the next day came
for my release. I went with Count Alton to the Countess
Parr, and by her mediation I obtained an audience with the
Empress.

I cannot describe how much she pitied my sufferings and
admired my fortitude. She told me she was informed of the
artifices practised against me in Vienna; she required me to
forgive my enemies, and pass all the accounts of my
administrators. “Do not complain of anything,”
said she, “but act as I desire—I know all—you
shall be recompensed by me; you deserve reward and repose, and
these you shall enjoy.”

I must either sign whatever was given to sign, or be sent to a
madhouse. I received orders to accompany M. Pistrich to
Counsellor Ziegler; thither I went, and the next day was obliged
to sign, in their presence, the following conditions:—

First—That I acknowledged the will of Trenck to be
valid.

Secondly—That I renounced all claim to the Sclavonian
estates, relying alone on her Majesty’s favour.

Thirdly—That I solemnly acquitted my accountants and
curators. And,

Lastly—That I would not continue in Vienna.

This I must sign, or languish in prison.

How did my blood boil while I signed! This confidence I
had in myself assured me I could obtain employment in any country
of Europe, by the labours of my mind, and the recital of all my
woes. At that time I had no children; I little regretted
what I had lost, or the poor portion that remained.

I determined to avoid Austria eternally. My pride would
never suffer me, by insidious arts, to approach the throne.
I knew no such mode of soliciting for justice, hence I was not a
match for my enemies; hence my misfortunes. Appeals to
justice were represented as the splenetic effusions of a man
never to be satisfied. My too sensitive heart was corroded
by the treatment I met at Vienna. I, who with so much
fortitude had suffered so much in the cause of Vienna, I, on whom
the eyes of Germany were fixed, to behold what should be the
reward of these sufferings, I was again, in this country, kept a
prisoner, and delivered to those by whom I had been plundered as
a man insane!

Before my intended departure to seek my fortune, I fell ill,
and sickness almost brought me to the grave. The Empress,
in her great clemency, sent one of her physicians and a friar to
my assistance, both of whom I was obliged to pay.

At this time I refused a major’s commission, for which I
was obliged to pay the fees. Being excluded from actual
service, to me the title was of little value; my rank in the army
had been equal ten years before in other service. The
following words, inserted in my commission, are not unworthy of
remark:—“Her Majesty, in consequence of my fidelity
for her service, demonstrated during a long imprisonment, my
endowments and virtues, had been graciously pleased to grant me,
in the Imperial service, the rank of major.”—The rank
of major!—From this preamble who would not have expected
either the rank of general, or the restoration of my great
Sclavonian estates? I had been fifteen years a captain of
cavalry, and then was I made an invalid major three-and-twenty
years ago, and an invalid major I still remain! Let all
that has been related be called to mind, the manner in which I
had been pillaged and betrayed; let Vienna, Dantzic, and
Magdeburg he remembered; and be this my promotion remembered
also! Let it be known that the commission of major might be
bought for a few thousand florins! Thirty thousand florins
only of the money I had been robbed of would have purchased a
colonel’s commission. I should then have been a
companion for generals.

During the thirty-six years that I have been in the service of
Austria, I never had any man of rank, any great general, my
enemy, except Count Grassalkowitz, and he was only my enemy
because he had conceived a friendship for my estates.

My character was never calumniated, nor did any worthy man
ever speak of me but with respect. Who were, who are, my
enemies?—Jesuits, monks, unprincipled advocates, wishing to
become my curators, referendaries, who died despicable, or now
live in houses of correction. Such as live, live in dread
of a similar end, for the Emperor Joseph is able to discover the
truth. Alas! the truth is discovered so late; age has now
nearly rendered me an invalid. Men with hearts so base
ought, indeed, to become the scavengers of society, that,
terrified by their example, succeeding judges may not rack the
heart of an honest man, seize on the possessions of the orphan
and the widow, and expel virtue out of Austria.

I attended the levée of Prince Kaunitz. Not
personally known to him, he viewed in me a crawling insect.
I thought somewhat more proudly; my actions were upright, and so
should my body be. I quitted the apartment, and was
congratulated by the mercenary Swiss porter on my good fortune of
having obtained an audience!

I applied to the field-marshal, from whom I received this
answer—“If you cannot purchase, my dear Trenck, it
will be impossible to admit you into service; besides, you are
too old to learn our manoeuvres.” I was then
thirty-seven. I briefly replied, “Your excellency
mistakes my character. I did not come to Vienna to serve as
an invalid major. My curators have taken good care I should
have no money to purchase; but had I millions, I would never
obtain rank in the army by that mode.” I quitted the
room with a shrug. The next day I addressed a memorial to
the Empress. I did not re-demand my Sclavonian estates, I
only petitioned.

First—That those who had carried off quintals of silver
and gold from the premises, and had rendered no account to me or
the treasury, should refund at least a part.

Secondly—That they should be obliged to return the
thirty-six thousand florins taken from my inheritance, and
applied to a hospital.

Thirdly—That the thirty-six thousand florins might be
repaid, which Count Grassalkowitz had deducted from the allodial
estates, for three thousand six hundred pandours who had fallen
in the service of the Empress; I not being bound to pay for the
lives of men who had died in defence of the Empress.

Fourthly—I required that fifteen thousand florins, which
had been deducted from my capital, and applied to the Bohemian
fortifications, should likewise be restored, together with the
fifteen thousand which had been unduly paid to the regiment of
Trenck.

Fifthly—I reclaimed the twelve thousand florins which I
had been robbed of at Dantzic by the treachery of the Imperial
Resident, Abramson; and public satisfaction from the magistracy
of Dantzic, who had delivered me up, so contrary to the laws of
nations, to the Prussian power.

I likewise claimed the interest of six per cent, for
seventy-six thousand florins, detained by the Hungarian Chamber,
which amounted to twenty thousand florins; I having been allowed
five per cent., and at last four.

I insisted on the restoration of my Sclavonian estates, and a
proper allowance for improvements, which the very sentence of the
court had granted, and which amounted to eighty thousand
florins.

I petitioned for an arbitrator; I solicited justice concerning
rights, but received no answer to this and a hundred other
petitions!

I must here speak of transactions during my
imprisonment. I had bought a house in Vienna in the year
1750; the price was sixteen thousand florins, thirteen thousand
of which I had paid by instalments. The receipts were among
my writings; these writings, with my other effects, were taken
from me at Dantzic, in the year 1754; nor have I, to this hour,
been able to learn more than that my writings were sent to the
administrators of my affairs at Vienna. With respect to my
houses and property in Dantzic, in what manner these were
disposed of no one could or would say.

After being released at Magdeburg, I inquired concerning my
house, but no longer found it mine. Those who had got
possession of my writings must have restored the acquittances to
the seller, consequently he could re-demand the whole sum.
My house was in other hands, and I was brought in debtor six
thousand florins for interest and costs of suit. Thus were
house and money gone. Whom can I accuse?

Again, I had maintained, at my own expense Lieutenant
Schroeder, who had deserted from Glatz, and for whom I obtained a
captain’s commission in the guard of Prince Esterhazy, at
Eisenstadt. His misconduct caused him to be
cashiered. In my administrator’s accounts I found the
following

It was certain I was not a penny indebted to this person; I
had no redress, having been obliged to pass and sign all their
accounts.

I, four years afterwards, obtained information concerning this
affair: I met Schroeder, knew him, and inquired whether he had
received these sixteen hundred florins. He answered in the
affirmative. “No one believed you would ever more see
the light. I knew you would serve me, and that you would
relieve my necessities. I went and spoke to Dr. Berger; he
agreed we should halve the sum, and his contrivance was, I should
make oath I had lent you a thousand florins, without having
received your note. The money was paid me by M.
Frauenberger, to whom I agreed to send a present of Tokay, for
Madam Huttner.”

This was the manner in which my curators took care of my
property! Many instances I could produce, but I am too much
agitated by the recollection. I must speak a word
concerning who and what my curators were.

The Court Counsellor, Kempf, was my administrator, and
Counsellor Huttner my referendary. The substitute of Kempf
was Frauenberger, who, being obliged to act as a clerk at Prague
during the war, appointed one Krebs as a sub-substitute; whether
M. Krebs had also a sub-substitute is more than I am able to
say.

Dr. Bertracker was fidei commiss-curator, though there
was no fidei commissum existing. Dr. Berger, as
Fidei Commiss-Advocate, was superintendent, and to them all
salaries were to be paid.

Let us see what was the business this company had to
transact. I had seventy-six thousand florins in the
Hungarian Chamber, the interest of which was to be yearly
received, and added to the capital: this was their employment,
and was certainly so trifling that any man would have performed
it gratis. The war made money scarce, and the discounting
of bills with my ducats was a profitable trade to my
curators. Had it been honestly employed, I should have
found my capital increased, after my imprisonment, full sixty
thousand florins. Instead of these I received three
thousand florins at Prague, and found my capital diminished seven
thousand florins.

Frauenberger and Berger died rich; and I must be confined as a
madman, lest this deputy should have been proved a rogue.
This is the clue to the acquittal I was obliged to
sign:—Madam K--- was a lady of the bedchamber at court; she
could approach the throne: her chamber employments, indeed,
procured her the keys of doors that to me were eternally
locked.

Not satisfied with this, Kempf applied to the Empress,
informed her they were acquitted, not recompensed, and that
Frauenberger required four thousand florins for
remuneration. The Empress laid an interdict on the half of
my income and pension. Thus was I obliged to live in
poverty; banished the Austrian dominions, where my seventy-six
thousand florins were reduced to sixty-three, the interest of
which I could only receive; and that burthened by the above
interdict, the fidei commissum, and administratorship.

The Empress during my sickness ordered that my captain’s
pay, during my ten years’ imprisonment, should be given me,
amounting to eight thousand florins; which pay she also settled
on me as a pension. By this pension I never profited; for,
during twenty-three years, that and more was swallowed by
journeys to Vienna, chicanery of courtiers and agents, and costs
of suits. Of the eight thousand florins three were stolen;
the court physician must be paid thrice as much as another, and
what remained after my recovery was sunk in the preparations I
had made to seek my fortune elsewhere.

How far my captain’s pay was matter of right or favour,
let the world judge, being told I went in the service of Vienna
to the city of Dantzic. Neither did this restitution of pay
equal the sum I had sent the Imperial Minister to obtain my
freedom. I remained nine months in my dungeon after the
articles were signed, unthought of; and, when mentioned by the
Austrians, the King had twice rejected the proposal of my being
set free. The affair happened as follows, as I received it
from Prince Henry, Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and the
Minister, Count Hertzberg:—General Reidt had received my
ten thousand florins full six months, and seemed to remember me
no more. One gala day, on the 21st of December, the King
happened to be in good humour; and Her Majesty the Queen, the
Princess Amelia, and the present monarch, said to the Imperial
Minister, “This is a fit opportunity for you to speak in
behalf of Trenck.” He accordingly waited his time,
did speak, and the King replied, “Yes.”

The joy of the whole company appeared so great that Frederic
the Great was offended!

Other circumstances which contributed to promote this affair,
the reader will collect from my history. That there were
persons in Vienna who desired to detain me in prison is
indubitable, from their proceedings after my return. My
friends in Berlin and my money were my deliverers.

Walking round Vienna, having recovered from my sickness, the
broad expanse of heaven inspired a consciousness of freedom and
pleasure indescribable. I heard the song of the lark.
My heart palpitated, my pulse quickened, for I recollected I was
not in chains. “Happen,” said I, “what
may, my will and heart are free.”

An incident happened which furthered my project of getting
away from Austria. Marshal Laudohn was going to
Aix-la-Chapelle to take the waters. He went to take his
leave of the Countess Parr; I was present the Empress entered the
chamber, and the conversation turning upon Laudohn’s
journey, she said to me, “The baths are necessary to the
re-establishment of your health, Trenck.” I was
ready, and followed him in two days, where we remained about
three months.

The mode of life at Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa pleased me, where
men of all nations meet, and where princes mingle with persons of
all ranks. One day here procured me more pleasure than a
whole life in Vienna.

I had scarcely remained a month before the Countess Parr wrote
to me that the Empress had provided for me, and would make my
fortune as soon as I returned to Vienna. I tried to
discover in what it consisted, but in vain. The death of
the Emperor Francis at Innsbruck occasioned the return of General
Laudohn, and I followed him, on foot, to Vienna.

By means of the Countess Parr I obtained an audience.
The Empress said to me, “I will prove to you, Trenck, that
I keep my word. I have insured your fortune; I will give
you a rich and prudent wife.” I replied, “Most
gracious Sovereign, I cannot determine to marry, and, if I could,
my choice is already made at
Aix-la-Chapelle.”—“How! are you married,
then?”—“Not yet, please your
Majesty.”—“Are you promised?”

“Yes.”—“Well, well, no matter for
that; I will take care of that affair; I am determined on
marrying you to the rich widow of M---, and she approves my
choice. She is a good, kind woman, and has fifty thousand
florins a year. You are in want of such a wife.”

I was thunderstruck. This bride was a canting hypocrite
of sixty-three, covetous, and a termagant. I answered,
“I must speak the truth to your Majesty; I could not
consent did she possess the treasures of the whole earth. I
have made my choice, which, as an honest man, I must not
break.” The Empress said, “Your unhappiness is
your own work. Act as you think proper; I have
done.” Here my audience ended. I was not
actually affianced at that time to my present wife, but love had
determined my choice.

Marshal Laudohn promoted the match. He was acquainted
with my heart and the warmth of my passion, and perceived that I
could not conquer the desire of vengeance on men by whom I had
been so cruelly treated. He and Professor Gellert advised
me to take this mode of calming passions that often inspired
projects too vast, and that I should fly the company of the
great. This counsel was seconded by my own wishes. I
returned to Aix-la-Chapelle in December, 1766, and married the
youngest daughter of the former Burgomaster De Broe. He was
dead; he had lived on his own estate in Brussels, where my wife
was born and educated. My wife’s mother was sister to
the Vice-Chancellor of Dusseldorf, Baron Robert, Lord of
Roland. My wife was with me in most parts of Europe.
She was then young, handsome, worthy, and virtuous, has borne me
eleven children, all of whom she has nursed herself; eight of
them are still living and have been properly educated.
Twenty-two years she has borne a part of all my sufferings, and
well deserves reward.

During my abode in Vienna I made one effort more. I
sought an audience with the present Emperor Joseph, related all
that had happened to me, and remarked such defects as I had
observed in the regulations of the country. He heard me,
and commanded me to commit my thoughts to writing. My
memorial was graciously received. I also gave a full
account of what had happened to me in various countries, which
prudence has occasioned me to express more cautiously in these
pages. My memorial produced no effect, and I hastened back
to Aix-la-Chapelle.

CHAPTER VII.

For some years I lived in peace; my house was the rendezvous
of the first people, who came to take the waters. I began
to be more known among the very first and best people. I
visited Professor Gellert at Leipzig, and asked his advice
concerning what branch of literature he thought it was probable I
might succeed in. He most approved my fables and tales, and
blamed the excessive freedom with which I spoke in political
writings. I neglected his advice, and many of the ensuing
calamities were the consequence.

I received orders to correspond with His Majesty’s
private secretary, Baron Roder; suffice it to say, my attempts to
serve my country were frustrated; I saw defects too clearly,
spoke my thoughts too frankly, and wanted sufficient humility
ever to obtain favour.

In the year 1767 I wrote “The Macedonian Hero,”
which became famous throughout all Germany. The poem did me
honour, but entailed new persecutions; yet I never could repent:
I have had the honour of presenting it to five reigning princes,
by none of whom it has been burnt. The Empress alone was
highly enraged. I had spoken as Nathan did to David, and
the Jesuits now openly became my enemies.

The following trick was played me in 1768. A friend in
Brussels was commissioned to receive my pay, from whom I learnt
an interdict had been laid upon it by the court called
Hofkriegsrath, in Vienna, in which I was condemned to pay seven
hundred florins to one Bussy, with fourteen years’
interest.

Bussy was a known swindler. I therefore journeyed,
post-haste, to Vienna. No hearing; no satisfactory account
was to be obtained. The answer was, “Sentence is
passed, therefore all attempts are too late.”

I applied to the Emperor Joseph, pledged my head to prove the
falsification of this note; and entreated a revision of the
cause. My request was granted and my attorney, Weyhrauch,
was an upright man. When he requested a day of revision to
be appointed, he was threatened to be committed by the
referendary. Zetto, should he interfere and defend the
affairs of Trenck. He answered firmly, “His defence
is my business: I know my cause to be good.”

Four months did I continue in Vienna before the day was
appointed to revise this cause. It now appeared there were
erasures and holes through the paper in three places; all in
court were convinced the claim ought to be annulled, and the
claimant punished. Zetto ordered the parties to withdraw,
and then so managed that the judges resolved that the case must
be laid before the court with formal and written proofs.

This gave time for new knavery; I was obliged to return to
Aix-la-Chapelle, and four years elapsed before this affair was
decided. Two priests, in the interim, took false oaths that
they had seen me receive money. At length, however, I
proved that the note was dated a year after I had been imprisoned
at Magdeburg. Further, my attorney proved the writs of the
court had been falsified. Zetto, referendary, and Bussy,
were the forgers; but I happened to be too active, and my
attorney too honest, to lose this case. I was obliged to
make three very expensive journeys from Aix-la-Chapelle to
Vienna, lest judgement should go by default. Sentence at
last was pronounced. I gained my cause, and the note was
declared a forgery, but the costs, amounting to three thousand
five hundred florins, I was obliged to pay, for Bussy could not:
nor was he punished, though driven from Vienna for his villainous
acts. Zetto, however, still continued for eleven years my
persecutor, till he was deprived of his office, and condemned to
the House of Correction.

My knowledge of the world increased at Aix-la-Chapelle, where
men of all characters met. In the morning I conversed with
a lord in opposition, in the afternoon with an orator of the
King’s party, and in the evening with an honest man of no
party. I sent Hungarian wine into England, France, Holland,
and the Empire. This occasioned me to undertake long
journeys, and as my increased acquaintance gave me opportunities
of receiving foreigners with politeness an my own house, I was
also well received wherever I went.

The income I should have had from Vienna was engulfed by
law-suits, attorneys, and the journeys I undertook; having been
thrice cited to appear, in person, before the
Hofkriegsrath. No hope remained. I was described as a
dangerous malcontent, who had deserted his native land. I
nevertheless remained an honest man; one who could provide for
his necessities without the favour of courts; one whose
acquaintance was esteemed. In Vienna alone was I unsought,
unemployed, and obscure.

One day an accident happened which made me renowned as a
magician, as one who had power over fogs and clouds.

I had a quarrel with the Palatine President, Baron Blankart,
concerning a hunting district. I wrote to him that he
should repair to the spot in dispute, whither I would attend with
sword and pistol, hoping he would there give me satisfaction for
the affront I had received. Thither I went, with two
huntsmen and two friends, but instead of the baron I found two
hundred armed peasants assembled.

I sent one of my huntsmen to the army of the enemy, informing
them that, if they did not retreat, I should fire. The day
was fine, but a thick and impenetrable fog arose. My
huntsman returned, with intelligence that, having delivered his
message just as the fog came on, these heroes had all run away
with fright.

I advanced, fired my piece, as did my followers, and marched
to the mansion of my adversary, where my hunting-horn was blown
in triumph in his courtyard. The runaway peasants fired,
but the fog prevented their taking aim.

I returned home, where many false reports had preceded
me. My wife expected I should be brought home dead;
however, not the least mischief had happened.

It soon was propagated through the country that I had raised a
fog to render myself invisible, and that the truth of this could
be justified by two hundred witnesses. All the monks of
Aix-la-Chapelle, Juliers, and Cologne, preached concerning me,
reviled me, and warned the people to beware of the arch-magician
and Lutheran, Trenck.

On a future occasion, this belief I turned to merriment.
I went to hunt the wolf in the forests of Montjoie, and invited
the townsmen to the chase. Towards evening I, and some
forty of my followers, retired to rest in the charcoal huts,
provided with wine and brandy. “My lads,” said
I, “it is necessary you should discharge your pieces, and
load them anew; that to-morrow no wolf may escape, and that none
of you excuse yourselves on your pieces missing
fire.” The guns were reloaded, and placed in a
separate chamber. While they were merry-making, my huntsman
drew the balls, and charged the pieces with powder, several of
which he loaded with double charges. Some of their notched
balls I put into my pocket.

In the morning away went I and my fellows to the chase.
Their conversation turned on my necromancy, and the manner in
which I could envelope myself in a cloud, or make myself
bullet-proof. “What is that you are talking
about?” said I.—“Some of these unbelieving
folks,” answered my huntsman, “affirm your honour is
unable to ward off balls.”—“Well, then,”
said I, “fire away, and try.” My huntsman
fired. I pretended to parry with my hand, and called,
“Let any man that is so inclined fire, but only one at a
time.” Accordingly they began, and, pretending to
twist and turn about, I suffered them all to discharge their
pieces. My people had carefully noticed that no man had
reloaded his gun. Some of them received such blows from the
guns that were doubly charged that they fell, terrified at the
powers of magic. I advanced, holding in my hand some of the
marked balls. “Let every one choose his own,”
called I. All stood motionless, and many of them slunk home
with their guns on their shoulders; some remained, and our sport
was excellent.

On Sunday the monks of Aix-la-Chapelle again began to
preach. My black art became the theme of the whole country,
and to this day many of the people make oath that they fired upon
me, and that, after catching them, I returned the balls.

My invulnerable qualities were published throughout Juliers,
Aix-la-Chapelle, Maestricht, and Cologne, and perhaps this belief
saved my life; the priests having propagated it from their
pulpits, in a country which swarms with highway robbers, and
where, for a single ducat, any man may hire an assassin.

It is no small surprise that I should have preserved my life,
in a town where there are twenty-three monasteries and churches,
and where the monks are adored as deities. The Catholic
clergy had been enraged against me by my poem of “The
Macedonian Hero;” and in 1772 I published a newspaper at
Aix-la-Chapelle, and another work entitled, “The Friend of
Men,” in which I unmasked hypocrisy. A major of the
apostolic Maria Theresa, writing thus in a town swarming with
friars, and in a tone so undaunted, was unexampled.

At present, now that freedom of opinion is encouraged by the
Emperor, many essayists encounter bigotry and deceit with
ridicule; or, wanting invention themselves, publish extracts from
writings of the age of Luther. But I have the honour of
having attacked the pillars of the Romish hierarchy in days more
dangerous. I may boast of being the first German who raised
a fermentation on the Upper Rhine and in Austria, so advantageous
to truth, the progress of the understanding, and the happiness of
futurity.

My writings contain nothing inimical to the morality taught by
Christ. I attacked the sale of indulgences, the avarice of
Rome, the laziness, deceit, gluttony, robbery, and blood-sucking
of the monks of Aix-la-Chapelle. The arch-priest, and nine
of his coadjutors, declared every Sunday that I was a
freethinker, a wizard, one whom every man, wishing well to God
and the Church, ought to assassinate. Father Zunder
declared me an outlaw, and a day was appointed on which my
writings were to be burnt before my house, and its inhabitants
massacred. My wife received letters warning her to fly for
safety, which warning she obeyed. I and two of my huntsmen
remained, provided with eighty-four loaded muskets. These I
displayed before the window, that all might be convinced that I
would make a defence. The appointed day came, and Father
Zunder, with my writings in his hand, appeared ready for the
attack; the other monks had incited the townspeople to a
storm. Thus passed the day and night in suspense.

In the morning a fire broke out in the town. I hastened,
with my two huntsmen, well armed, to give assistance; we dashed
the water from our buckets, and all obeyed my directions.
Father Zunder and his students were there likewise. I
struck his anointed ear with my leathern bucket, which no man
thought proper to notice. I passed undaunted through the
crowd; the people smiled, pulled off their hats, and wished me a
good-morning. The people of Aix-la-Chapelle were bigots,
but too cowardly to murder a man who was prepared for his own
defence.

As I was riding to Maestricht, a ball whistled by my ears,
which, no doubt, was a messenger sent after me by these
persecuting priests.

When hunting near the convent of Schwartzenbruck, three
Dominicans lay in ambush behind a hedge. One of their
colleagues pointed out the place. I was on my guard with my
gun, drew near, and called out, “Shoot, scoundrels! but do
not kill me, for the devil stands ready for you at your
elbow.” One fired, and all ran: The ball hit my
hat. I fired and wounded one desperately, whom the others
carried off.

In 1774, journeying from Spa to Limbourg, I was attacked by
eight banditti. The weather was rainy, and my musket was in
its case; my sabre was entangled in my belt, so that I was
obliged to defend myself as with a club. I sprang from the
carriage, and fought in defence of my life, striking down all
before me, while my faithful huntsman protected me behind.
I dispersed my assailants, hastened to my carriage, and drove
away. One of these fellows was soon after hanged, and owned
that the confessor of the banditti had promised absolution could
they but despatch me, but that no man could shoot me, because
Lucifer had rendered me invulnerable. My agility, fighting,
too, for life, was superior to theirs, and they buried two of
their gang, whom with my heavy sabre I had killed.

To such excess of cruelty may the violence of priests be
carried! I attacked only gross abuses—the deceit of
the monks of Aix-la-Chapelle, Cologne, and Liége, where
they are worse than cannibals. I wished to inculcate true
Christian duties among my fellow-citizens, and the attempt was
sufficient to irritate the selfish Church of Rome.

From my Empress I had nothing to hope. Her confessor had
painted me as a persecutor of the blessed Mother Church.
Nor was this all. Opinions were propagated throughout
Vienna that I was a dangerous man to the community.

Hence I was always wronged in courts of judicature, where
there are ever to be found wicked men. They thought they
were serving the cause of God by injuring me. Yet they were
unable to prevent my writings from producing me much money, or
from being circulated through all Germany. The
Aix-la-Chapelle Journal became so famous, that in the
second year I had four thousand subscribers, by each of whom I
gained a ducat.

The postmasters, who gained considerably by circulating
newspapers, were envious, because the Aix-la-Chapelle
Journal destroyed several of the others, and they therefore
formed a combination.

Prince Charles of Sweden placed confidence in me during his
residence at Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa, and I accompanied him into
Holland. When I took my leave of him at Maestricht, he said
to me, “When my father dies, either my brother shall be
King, or we will lose our heads.” The King died, and
Prince Charles soon after said, in the postscript of one of his
letters, “What we spoke of at Maestricht will soon be fully
accomplished, and you may then come to Stockholm.”

On this, I inserted an article in my journal declaring a
revolution had taken place in Sweden, that the king had made
himself absolute. The other papers expressed their doubts,
and I offered to wager a thousand ducats on the truth of the
article published in my journal under the title of
“Aix-la-Chapelle.” The news of the revolution
in Sweden was confirmed.

My journal foretold the Polish partition six weeks sooner than
any other; but how I obtained this news must not be
mentioned. I was active in the defence of Queen Matilda of
Denmark.

The French Ministry were offended at the following
pasquinade:—“The three eagles have rent the Polish
bear, without losing a feather with which any man in the Cabinet
of Versailles can write. Since the death of Mazarin, they
write only with goose-quills.”

By desire of the King of Poland, I wrote a narrative of the
attempt made to assassinate him, and named the nuncio who had
given absolution to the conspirators in the chapel of the Holy
Virgin.

The house was now in flames. Rome insisted I should
recall my words. Her nuncio, at Cologne, vented poison,
daggers, and excommunication; the Empress-Queen herself thought
proper to interfere. I obtained, for my justification, from
Warsaw a copy of the examination of the conspirators. This
I threatened to publish, and stood unmoved in the defence of
truth.

The Empress wrote to the Postmaster-General of the Empire, and
commanded him to lay an interdict on the Aix-la-Chapelle
Journal. Informed of this, I ended its publication with
the year, but wrote an essay on the partition of Poland, which
also did but increase my enemies.

The magistracy of Aix-la-Chapelle is elected from the people,
and the Burghers’ court consists of an ignorant
rabble. I know no exceptions but Baron Lamberte and De
Witte; and this people assume titles of dignity, for which they
are amenable to the court at Vienna. Knowing I should find
little protection at Vienna, they imagined they might drive me
from their town. I was a spy on their evil deeds, of whom
they would have rid themselves. I knew that the two
sheriffs, Kloss and Furth, and the recorder, Geyer, had robbed
the town-chamber of forty thousand dollars, and divided the
spoil. To these I was a dangerous man. For such
reasons they sought a quarrel with me, pretending I had committed
a trespass by breaking down a hedge, and cited me to appear at
the town-house.

The postmaster, Heinsberg, of Aix-la-Chapelle, although he had
two thousand three hundred rix-dollars of mine in his possession,
instituted false suits against me, obtained verdicts against me,
seized on a cargo of wine at Cologne, and I incurred losses to
the amount of eighteen thousand florins, which devoured the
fortune of my wife, and by which she, with myself and my
children, were reduced to poverty.

The Gravenitz himself, in 1778, acknowledged how much he had
injured me, affirmed he had been deceived, and promised he would
try to obtain restitution. I forgave him, and he attempted
to keep his promise; but his power declined; the bribes he had
received became too public. He was dispossessed of his
post, but, alas! too late for me. Two other of my judges
are at this time obliged to sweep the streets of Vienna, where
they are condemned to the House of Correction. Had this
been their employment instead of being seated on the seat of
judgment twenty years ago, I might have been more
fortunate. It is a remarkable circumstance that I should so
continually have been despoiled by unjust judges. Who would
have had the temerity to affirm that their evil deeds should
bring them to attend on the city scavenger? I indeed knew
them but too well, and fearlessly spoke what I knew. It was
my misfortune that I was acquainted with their malpractices
sooner than gracious Sovereign.

Let the scene close on my litigations at Aix-la-Chapelle and
Vienna. May God preserve every honest man from the
like! They have swallowed up my property, and that of my
wife. Enough!

CHAPTER VIII.

From the year 1774 to 1777, I journeyed through England and
France. I was intimate with Dr. Franklin, the American
Minister, and with the Counts St. Germain and de Vergennes, who
made me proposals to go to America; but I was prevented by my
affection for my wife and children.

My friend the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, who had been Governor
of Magdeburg during my imprisonment, offered me a commission
among the troops going to America, but I
answered—“Gracious prince, my heart beats in the
cause of freedom only; I will never assist in enslaving
men. Were I at the head of your brave grenadiers. I
should revolt to the Americans.”

During 1775 I continued at Aix-la-Chapelle my essays,
entitled, “The Friend of Men.” My writings had
made some impression; the people began to read; the monks were
ridiculed, but my partisans increased, and their leader got
himself cudgelled.

They did not now mention my name publicly, but catechised
their penitents at confession. During this year people came
to me from Cologne, Bonn, and Dusseldorf, to speak with me
privately. When I inquired their business, they told me
their clergy had informed them I was propagating a new religion,
in which every man must sign himself to the devil, who then would
supply them with money. They were willing to become
converts to my faith, would Beelzebub but give them money, and
revenge them on their priests. “My good
friends,” answered I, “your teachers have deceived
you; I know of no devils but themselves. Were it true that
I was founding a new religion, the converts to whom the devil
would supply money, your priests, would be the first of my
apostles, and the most catholic. I am an honest, moral man,
as a Christian ought to be. Go home, in God’s name,
and do your duty.”

I forgot to mention that the recorder of the sheriff’s
court at Aix-la-Chapelle, who is called Baron Geyer, had
associated himself in 1778 with a Jew convert, and that this
noble company swindled a Dutch merchant out of eighty thousand
florins, by assuming the arms of Elector Palatine, and producing
forged receipts and contracts. Geyer was taken in
Amsterdam, and would have been hanged, but, by the aid of a
servant, he escaped. He returned to Aix-la-Chapelle, where
he enjoys his office. Three years ago he robbed the
town-chamber. His wife was, at that time, generis
communis, and procured him friends at court. The
assertions of this gentleman found greater credit at Vienna than
those of the injured Trenck! Oh, shame! Oh, world!
world!

My wine trade was so successful that I had correspondents and
stores in London, Paris, Brussels, Hamburg, and the Hague, and
had gained forty thousand florins. One unfortunate day
destroyed all my hopes in the success of this traffic.

In London I was defrauded of eighteen hundred guineas by a
swindler. The fault was my brother-in-law’s, who
parted with the wine before he had received the money. When
I had been wronged, and asked my friends’ assistance, I was
only laughed at, as if they were happy that an Englishman had the
wit to cheat a German.

Finding myself defrauded, I hastened to Sir John
Fielding. He told me he knew I had been swindled, and that
his friendship would make him active in my behalf; that he also
knew the houses where my wine was deposited, and that a party of
his runners should go with me, sufficiently strong for its
recovery. I was little aware that he had, at that time, two
hundred bottles of my best Tokay in his cellar. His
pretended kindness was a snare; he was in partnership with
robbers, only the stupid among whom he hanged, and preserved the
most adroit for the promotion of trade.

He sent a constable and six of his runners with me, commanding
them to act under my orders. By good fortune I had a
violent headache, and sent my brother-in-law, who spoke better
English than I. Him they brought to the house of a Jew, and
told him, “Your wine, sir, is here concealed.”
Though it was broad day, the door was locked, that he might be
induced to act illegally. The constable desired him to
break the door open, which he did; the Jews came running, and
asked—“What do you want,
gentlemen?”—“I want my wine,” answered my
brother.—“Take what is your own,” replied a
Jew; “but beware of touching my property. I have
bought the wine.”

My brother attended the constable and runners into a cellar,
and found a great part of my wine. He wrote to Sir John
Fielding that he had found the wine, and desired to know how to
act. Fielding answered: “It must be taken by the
owner.” My brother accordingly sent me the wine.

Next day came a constable with a warrant, saying, “He
wanted to speak with my brother, and that he was to go to Sir
John Fielding.” When he was in the street, he told
him—“Sir, you are my prisoner.”

I went to Sir John Fielding, and asked him what it
meant. This justice answered that my brother had been
accused of felony. The Jews and swindlers had sworn the
wine was a legal purchase. If I had not been paid, or was
ignorant of the English laws, that was my fault. Six
swindlers had sworn the wine was paid for, which circumstance he
had not known, or he should not have granted me a warrant.
My brother had also broken open the doors, and forcibly taken
away wine which was not his own. They made oath of this,
and he was charged with burglary and robbery.

He desired me to give bail in a thousand guineas for my
brother for his appearance in the Court of King’s Bench;
otherwise his trial would immediately come on, and in a few days
he would be hanged.

I hastened to a lawyer, who confirmed what had been told me,
advised me to give bail, and he would then defend my cause.
I applied to Lord Mansfield, and received the same answer.
I told my story to all my friends, who laughed at me for
attempting to trade in London without understanding the
laws. My friend Lord Grosvenor said, “Send more wine
to London, and we will pay you so well that you will soon recover
your loss.”

I went to my wine-merchants, who had a stock of mine worth
upwards of a thousand guineas. They gave bail for my
brother, and he was released.

Fielding, in the interim, sent his runners to my house, took
back the wine, and restored it to the Jews. They threatened
to prosecute me as a receiver of stolen goods. I fled from
London to Paris, where I sold off my stock at half-price,
honoured my bills, and so ended my merchandise.

My brother returned to London in November, to defend his cause
in the Court of King’s Bench; but the swindlers had
disappeared, and the lawyer required a hundred pounds to
proceed. The conclusion was that my brother returned with
seventy pounds less in his pocket, spent as travelling expenses,
and the stock in the hands of my wine-merchants was detained on
pretence of paying the bail. They brought me an
apothecary’s bill, and all was lost.

The Swedish General Sprengporten came to Aix-la-Chapelle in
1776. He had planned and carried into execution the
revolution so favourable to the King, but had left Sweden in
discontent, and came to take the waters with a rooted
hypochondria.

He was the most dangerous man in Sweden, and had told the King
himself, after the revolution, in the presence of his guards,
“While Sprengporten can hold a sword, the King has nothing
to command.”

It was feared he would go to Russia, and Prince Charles wrote
to me in the name of the monarch, desiring I would exert myself
to persuade him to return to Sweden. He was a man of pride,
which rendered him either a fool or a madman. He despised
everything that was not Swedish.

The Prussian Minister, Count Hertzberg, the same year came to
Aix-la-Chapelle. I enjoyed his society for three months,
and accompanied this great man. To his liberality am I
indebted that I can return to my country with honour.

The time I had to spare was not spent in idleness; I attacked,
in my weekly writings, those sharpers who attend at
Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa to plunder both inhabitants and
visitants, under the connivance of the magistracy; nor are there
wanting foreign noblemen who become the associates of these pests
of society. The publication of such truths endangered my
life from the desperadoes, who, when detected, had nothing more
to lose. How powerful is an innocent life, nothing can more
fully prove than that I still exist, in despite of all the
attempts of wicked monks and despicable sharpers.

Though my life was much disturbed, yet I do not repent of my
manner of acting; many a youth, many a brave man, have I detained
from the gaming-table, and pointed out to them the most notorious
sharpers.

This was so injurious to Spa, that the Bishop of Liége
himself, who enjoys a tax on all their winnings, and therefore
protects such villains, offered me an annual pension of five
hundred guineas if I would not come to Spa; or three per cent. on
the winnings, would I but associate myself with Colonel N---t,
and raise recruits for the gaming-table. My answer may
easily be imagined; yet for this was I threatened to be
excommunicated by the Holy Catholic Church!

I and my family passed sixteen summers in Spa. My house
became the rendezvous of the most respectable part of the
company, and I was known to some of the most respectable
characters in Europe.

A contest arose between the town of Aix-la-Chapelle and Baron
Blankart, the master of the hounds to the Elector Palatine: it
originated in a dispute concerning precedence between the
before-mentioned wife of the Recorder Geyer and the sister of the
Burgomaster of Aix-la-Chapelle, Kahr, who governed that town with
despotism.

This quarrel was detrimental to the town and to the Elector
Palatine, but profitable to Kahr, whose office it was to protect
the rights of the town, and those persons who defended the claims
of the Elector; the latter kept a faro bank, the plunder of which
had enriched the town; and the former Kahr, under pretence of
defending their cause, embezzled the money of the people; so that
both parties endeavoured with all their power to prolong the
litigation.

It vexed me to see their proceedings. Those who suffered
on each side were deceived; and I conceived the project of
exposing the truth. For this purpose I journeyed to the
court at Mannheim, related the facts to the Elector, produced a
plan of accommodation, which he approved, and obtained power to
act as arbitrator. The Minister of the Elector, Bekkers,
pretended to approve my zeal, conducted me to an auberge,
made me dine at his house, and said a commission was made out for
my son, and forwarded to Aix-la-Chapelle—which was false;
the moment he quitted me he sent to Aix-la-Chapelle to frustrate
the attempt he pretended to applaud. He was himself in
league with the parties. In fine, this silly interference
brought me only trouble, expense, and chagrin. I made five
journeys to Mannheim, till I became so dissatisfied that I
determined to quit Aix-la-Chapelle, and purchase an estate in
Austria.

The Bavarian contest was at this time in agitation; my own
affairs brought me to Paris, and here I learned intelligence of
great consequence; this I communicated to the Grand Duke of
Florence, on my return to Vienna. The Duke departed to join
the army in Bohemia, and I again wrote to him, and thought it my
duty to send a courier. The Duke showed my letter to the
Emperor; but I remained unnoticed.

I did not think myself safe in foreign countries during this
time of war, and purchased the lordship of Zwerbach, with
appurtenances, which, with the expenses, cost me sixty thousand
florins.

To conclude this purchase, I was obliged to solicit the
referendary, Zetto, and his friend whom he had appointed as my
curator, for my new estate was likewise made a fidei
commissum, as my referendaries and curators would not let me
escape contribution. The six thousand florins of which they
emptied my purse would have done my family much service.

In May, 1780, I went to Aix-la-Chapelle, where my wife’s
mother died in July; and in September my wife, myself, and
family, all came to Vienna.

My wife solicited the mistress of the ceremonies to obtain an
audience. Her request was granted, and she gained the
favour of the Empress. Her kindness was beyond expression:
she introduced my wife to the Archduchess, and commanded her
mistress of the ceremonies to present her everywhere.
“You were unwilling,” said she, “to accompany
your husband into my country, but I hope to convince you that you
may live happier in Austria than at Aix-la-Chapelle.”

She next day sent me her decree, assuring me of a pension of
four hundred florins.

My wife petitioned the Empress to grant me an audience: her
request was complied with: and the Empress said to me:
“This is the third time in which I would have made your
fortune, had you been so disposed.” She desired to
see my children, and spoke of my writings. “How much
good might you do,” said she, “would you but write in
the cause of religion!”

We departed for Zwerbach, where we lived contentedly, but when
we were preparing to return to Vienna, and solicited the
restitution of part of my lost fortune, during this favour of the
court, Theresa died, and all my hopes were overcast.

I forgot to relate that the Archduchess, Maria Anna, desired
me to translate a religious work, written in French by the
Abbé Baudrand, into German. I replied I would obey
Her Majesty’s commands. I began my work, took
passages from Baudrand, but inserted more of my own. The
first volume was finished in six weeks; the Empress thought it
admirable. The second soon followed, and I presented this
myself.

She asked me if it equalled the first; I answered, I hoped it
would be found more excellent. “No,” said she;
“I never in my life read a better book:” and added,
“she wondered how I could write so well and so
quickly.” I promised another volume within a
month. Before the third was ready, Theresa died. She
gave orders on her death-bed to have the writings of Baron Trenck
read to her; and though her confessor well knew the injustice
that had been done me, yet in her last moments he kept silence,
though he had given me his sacred promise to speak in my
behalf.

After her death the censor commanded that I should print what
I have stated in the preface to that third volume, and this was
my only satisfaction.

For one-and-thirty years had I been soliciting my rights,
which I never could obtain, because the Empress was deceived by
wicked men, and believed me a heretic. In the
thirty-second, my wife had the good fortune to convince her this
was false; she had determined to make me restitution; just at
this moment she died.

The pension granted my wife by the Empress in consequence of
my misfortunes and our numerous family, we only enjoyed nine
months.

Of this she was deprived by the new monarch. He perhaps
knew nothing of the affair, as I never solicited. Yet much
has it grieved me. Perhaps I may find relief when the sighs
wrung from me shall reach the heart of the father of his people
in this my last writing. At present, nothing for me remains
but to live unknown in Zwerbach.

The Emperor thought proper to collect the moneys bestowed on
hospitals into one fund. The system was a wise one.
My cousin Trenck had bequeathed thirty-six thousand florins to a
hospital for the poor of Bavaria. This act he had no right
to do, having deducted the sum from the family estate. I
petitioned the Emperor that these thirty-six thousand florins
might be restored to me and my children, who were the people whom
Trenck had indeed made poor, nothing of the property of his
acquiring having been left to pay this legacy, but, on the
contrary, the money having been exacted from mine.

In a few days it was determined I should be answered in the
same tone in which, for six-and-thirty years past, all my
petitions had been answered:—

“The request of the petitioner
cannot be granted.”

Fortune persecuted me in my retreat. Within six years
two hailstorms swept away my crops; one year was a misgrowth;
there were seven floods; a rot among my sheep: all possible
calamities befell me and my manor.

The estate had been ruined, the ponds were to drain, three
farms were to be put into proper condition, and the whole newly
stocked. This rendered me poor, especially as my
wife’s fortune had been sunk in lawsuits at Aix-la-Chapelle
and Cologne.

The miserable peasants had nothing, therefore could not pay: I
was obliged to advance them money. My sons assisted me, and
we laboured with our own hands: my wife took care of eight
children, without so much as the help of a maid. We lived
in poverty, obliged to earn our daily bread.

The greatest of my misfortunes was my treatment in the
military court, when Zetto and Krugel were my
referendaries. Zetto had clogged me with a curator and when
the cow had no more milk to give, they began to torture me with
deputations, sequestrations, administrations, and
executions. Nineteen times was I obliged to attend in
Vienna within two years, at my own expense. Every six years
must I pay an attorney to dispute and quarrel with the
curator. I, in conclusion, was obliged to pay. If any
affair was to be expedited, I, by a third hand, was obliged to
send the referendary some ducats. Did he give judgment,
still that judgment lay fourteen months inefficient, and, when it
then appeared, the copy was false, and so was sent to the upper
courts, the high referendary of which said I “must be
dislodged from Zwerbach.”

They obliged me at last to purchase my naturalisation. I
sent to Prussia for my pedigree; the attestation of this was sent
me by Count Hertzberg. Although the family of Trenck had a
hundred years been landholders in Hungary, yet was my attorney
obliged to solicit the instrument called ritter-diploma, for
which, under pain of execution, I must pay two thousand
florins.

By decree a Prussian nobleman is not noble in Austria, where
every lackey can purchase a diploma, making him a knight of the
Empire, for twelve hundred wretched florins!—where such men
as P--- and Grassalkowitz have purchased the dignity of a
prince!

Tortured by the courts, terrified by hailstorms, I determined
to publish my works, in eight volumes, and this history of my
life.

Fourteen months accomplished this purpose. My labours
found a favourable reception through all Germany, procured me
money, esteem, and honour. By my writings only will I seek
the means of existence, and by trying to obtain the approbation
and the love of men.

CHAPTER IX.

On the 22nd of August, 1786, the news arrived that Frederic
the Great had left this world!

* * * * *

The present monarch, the witness of my sufferings in my native
country, sent me a royal passport to Berlin. The
confiscation of my estates was annulled, and my deceased brother,
in Prussia, had left my children his heirs.

* * * * *

I journey, within the Imperial permission, back to my country,
from which I have been two-and-forty years expelled! I
journey—not as a pardoned malefactor, but as a man whose
innocence has been established by his actions, has been proved in
his writings, and who is journeying to receive his reward.

Here I shall once more encounter my old friends my relations,
and those who have known me in the days of my affliction.
Here shall I appear, not as my country’s Traitor, but as my
country’s Martyr!

Possible, though little probable, are still future
storms. For these also I am prepared. Long had I
reason daily to curse the rising sun, and, setting, to behold it
with horror. Death to me appears a great benefit: a certain
passage from agitation to peace, from motion to rest. As
for my children, they, jocund in youth, delight in present
existence. When I have fulfilled the duties of a father, to
live or die will then be as I shall please.

Thou, O God! my righteous Judge, didst ordain that I should be
an example of suffering to the world; Thou madest me what I am,
gavest me these strong passions, these quick nerves, this
thrilling of the blood, when I behold injustice. Strong was
my mind, that deeply it might meditate on deep subjects; strong
my memory, that these meditations I might retain; strong my body,
that proudly it might support all it has pleased Thee to
inflict.

Should I continue to exist, should identity go with me, and
should I know what I was then, when I was called Trenck; when
that combination of particles which Nature commanded should
compose this body shall be decomposed, scattered, or in other
bodies united; when I have no muscles to act, no brain to think,
no retina on which pictures can mechanically be painted, my eyes
wasted, and no tongue remaining to pronounce the Creator’s
name, should I still behold a Creator—then, oh then, will
my spirit mount, and indubitably associate with spirits of the
just who expectant wait for their golden harps and glorious
crowns from the Most High God. For human weaknesses, human
failings, arising from our nature, springing from our
temperament, which the Creator has ordained, shall be even thus,
and not otherwise; for these have I suffered enough on earth.

Such is my confession of faith; in this have I lived, in this
will I die. The duties of a man and of a Christian I have
fulfilled; nay, often have exceeded, often have been too
benevolent, too generous; perhaps also too proud, too vain.
I could not bend, although liable to be broken.

That I have not served the world, in acts and employments
where best I might, is perhaps my own fault: the fault of my
manner, which is now too radical to be corrected in this, my
sixtieth year. Yes, I acknowledge my failing, acknowledge
it unblushingly; nay, glory in the pride of a noble nature.

For myself, I ask nothing of those who have read my history;
to them do I commit my wife and children. My eldest son is
a lieutenant in the Tuscan regiment of cavalry, under General
Lasey, and does honour to his father’s principles.
The second serves his present Prussian Majesty, as ensign in the
Posadowsky dragoons, with equal promise. The third is still
a child. My daughters will make worthy men happy, for they
have imbibed virtue and gentleness with their mother’s
milk. Monarchs may hereafter remember what I have suffered,
what I have lost, and what is due to my ashes.

Here do I declare—I will seek no other revenge against
my enemies than that of despising their evil deeds. It is
my wish, and shall be my endeavour, to forget the past; and
having committed no offence, neither will I solicit monarchs for
posts of honour; as I have ever lived a free man, a free man will
I die.

I conclude this part of my history on the evening preceding my
journey to Berlin. God grant I may encounter no new
afflictions, to be inserted in the remainder of this history.

This journey I prepared to undertake, but my ever-envious fate
threw me on the bed of sickness, insomuch that small hope
remained that I ever should again behold the country of my
forefathers. I seemed following the Great Frederic to the
mansions of the dead; then should I never have concluded the
history of my life, or obtained the victory by which I am now
crowned.

A variety of obstacles being overcome, I found it necessary to
make a journey into Hungary, which was one of the most pleasant
of my whole life.

I have no words to express my ardent wishes for the welfare of
a nation where I met with so many proofs of friendship.
Wherever I appeared I was welcomed with that love and enthusiasm
which only await the fathers of their country. The valour
of my cousin Trenck, who died ingloriously in the Spielberg, the
loss of my great Hungarian estates, the fame of my writings, and
the cruelty of my sufferings, had gone before me. The
officers of the army, the nobles of the land, alike testified the
warmth of their esteem.

Such is the reward of the upright; such too are the proofs
that this nation knows the just value of fortitude and
virtue. Have I not reason to publish my gratitude, and to
recommend my children to those who, when I am no more, shall dare
uprightly to determine concerning the rights which have unjustly
been snatched from me in Hungary?

Not a man in Hungary but will proclaim I have been unjustly
dealt by; yet I have good reason to suspect I never shall find
redress. Sentence had been already given; judges, more
honest, cannot, without difficulty, reverse old decrees; and the
present possessors of my estates are too powerful, too intimate
with the governors of the earth, for me to hope I shall hereafter
be more happy. God knows my heart; I wish the present
possessors may render services to the state equal to those
rendered by the family of the Trencks.

There is little probability I shall ever behold my noble
friends in Hungary more. Here I bid them adieu, promising
them to pass the remainder of any life so as still to merit the
approbation of a people with whose ashes I would most willingly
have mingled my own. May the God of heaven preserve every
Hungarian from a fate similar to mine!

The Croats have ever been reckoned uncultivated; yet, among
this uncultivated people I found more subscribers to my writings
than among all the learned men of Vienna; and in Hungary, more
than in all the Austrian dominions.

The Hungarians, the unlettered Croats, seek information.
The people of Vienna ask their confessors’ permission to
read instructive books. Various subscribers, having read
the first volume of my work, brought it back, and re-demanded
their money, because some monk had told them it was a book
dangerous to be read. The judges of their courts have
re-sold them to the booksellers for a few pence or given them to
those who had the care of their consciences to burn.

In Vienna alone was my life described as a romance; in Hungary
I found the compassion of men, their friendship, and effectual
aid. Had my book been the production of an Englishman, good
wishes would not have been his only reward.

We German writers have interested critics to encounter if we
would unmask injustice; and if a book finds a rapid sale,
dishonest printers issue spurious editions, defrauding the author
of his labours.

The encouragement of the learned produces able teachers, and
from their seminaries men of genius occasionally come
forth. The world is inundated with books and pamphlets; the
undiscerning reader knows not which to select; the more
intelligent are disgusted, or do not read at all, and thus a work
of merit becomes as little profitable to the author as to the
state.

I left Vienna on the 5th of January, and came to Prague.
Here I found nearly the same reception as in Hungary; my writings
were read. Citizens, noblemen, and ladies treated me with
like favour. May the monarch know how to value men of
generous feelings and enlarged understandings!

I bade adieu to Prague, and continued my journey to
Berlin. In Bohemia, I took leave of my son, who saw his
father and his two brothers, destined for the Prussian service,
depart. He felt the weight of this separation; I reminded
him of his duty to the state he served; I spoke of the fearful
fate of his uncle and father in Austria, and of the possessors of
our vast estates in Hungary. He shrank back—a look
from his father pierced him to the soul—tears stood in his
eyes—his youthful blood flowed quick, and the following
expression burst suddenly from his lips:—“I call God
to witness that I will prove myself worthy of my father’s
name; and that, while I live, his enemies shall be
mine!”

At Peterswald, on the road to Dresden, my carriage broke down:
my life was endangered; and my son received a contusion in the
arm. The erysipelas broke out on him at Berlin, and I could
not present him to the King for a month after.

I had been but a short time at Berlin before the well-known
minister, Count Hertzberg, received me with kindness. Every
man to whom his private worth is known will congratulate the
state that has the wisdom to bestow on him so high an
office. His scholastic and practical learning, his
knowledge of languages, his acquaintance with sciences, are
indeed wonderful. His zeal for his country is ardent, his
love of his king unprejudiced, his industry admirable, his
firmness that of a man. He is the most experienced man in
the Prussian states. The enemies of his country may rely on
his word. The artful he can encounter with art; those who
menace, with fortitude; and with wise foresight can avert the
rising storm. He seeks not splendour in sumptuous and
ostentatious retinue; but if he can only enrich the state, and
behold the poor happy, he is himself willing to remain
poor. His estate, Briess, near Berlin, is no Chanteloup,
but a model to those patriots who would study economy. Here
he, every Wednesday, enjoys recreation. The services he
renders the kingdom cost it only five thousand rix-dollars
yearly; he, therefore, lives without ostentation, yet becoming
his state, and with splendour when splendour is necessary.
He does not plunder the public treasury that he may preserve his
own private property.

This man will live in the annals of Prussia: who was employed
under the Great Frederic; had so much influence in the cabinets
of Europe; and was a witness of the last actions, the last
sensations, of his dying king; yet who never asked, nor ever
received, the least gratuity. This is the minister whose
conversation I had the happiness to partake at Aix-la-Chapelle
and Spa, whose welfare is the wish of my heart, and whose memory
I shall ever revere.

I was received with distinction at his table, and became
acquainted with those whose science had benefited the Prussian
states; nor was anything more flattering to my self-love than
that men like these should think me worthy their friendship.

Not many days after I was presented to the court by the
Prussian chamberlain, Prince Sacken, as it is not customary at
Berlin for a foreign subject to be presented by the minister of
his own court. Though a Prussian subject, I wore the
Imperial uniform.

The King received me with condescension; all eyes were
directed towards me, each welcomed me to my country. This
moved me the more as it was remarked by the foreign ministers,
who asked who that Austrian officer could be who was received
with so much affection and such evident joy in Berlin. The
gracious monarch himself gave tokens of pleasure at beholding me
thus surrounded. Among the rest came the worthy General
Prittwitz, who said aloud—

“This is the gentleman who might have ruined me to
effect his own deliverance.”

Confused at so public a declaration, I desired him to expound
this riddle; and he added—

“I was obliged to be one of your guards on your
unfortunate journey from Dantzic to Magdeburg, in 1754, when I
was a lieutenant. On the road I continued alone with you in
an open carriage. This gave you an opportunity to escape,
but you forbore. I afterwards saw the danger to which I had
exposed myself. Had you been less noble-minded, had such a
prisoner escaped through my negligence, I had certainly been
ruined. The King believed you alike dangerous and deserving
of punishment. I here acknowledge you as my saviour, and am
in gratitude your friend.” I knew not that the
generous man, who wished me so well, was the present General
Prittwitz. That he should himself remind me of this
incident does him the greater honour.

Having been introduced at court, I thought it necessary to
observe ceremonies, and was presented by the Imperial ambassador,
Prince Reuss, to all foreign ministers, and such families as are
in the habit of admitting such visits. I was received by
the Prince Royal, the reigning Queen, the Queen-Dowager, and the
royal family in their various places, with favour never to be
forgotten. His Royal Highness Prince Henry invited me to a
private audience, continued long in conversation with me,
promised me his future protection, admitted me to his private
concerts, and sometimes made me sup at court.

A like reception I experienced in the palace of Prince
Ferdinand of Brunswick, where I frequently dined and
supped. His princess took delight in hearing my narratives,
and loaded me with favour.

Prince Ferdinand’s mode of educating children is
exemplary. The sons are instructed in the soldier’s
duties, their bodies are inured to the inclemencies of weather;
they are taught to ride, to swim, and are steeled to all the
fatigue of war. Their hearts are formed for friendship,
which they cannot fail to attain. Happy the nation in
defence of which they are to act!

How ridiculous these their Royal Highnesses appear who,
though born to rule, are not deserving to be the lackeys to the
least of those whom they treat with contempt; and yet who swell,
strut, stride, and contemplate themselves as creatures
essentially different by nature, and of a superior rank in the
scale of beings, though, in reality, their minds are of the
lowest, the meanest class.

Happy the state whose prince is impressed with a sense that
the people are not his property, but he the property of the
people! A prince beloved by his people will ever render a
nation more happy those he whose only wish is to inspire
fear.

The pleasure I received at Berlin was great indeed. When
I went to court, the citizens crowded to see me, and when anyone
among them said, “That is Trenck,” the rest would
cry, “Welcome once more to your country,” while many
would reach me their hands, with the tears standing in their
eyes. Frequent were the scenes I experienced of this
kind. No malefactor would have been so received. It
was the reward of innocence; this reward was bestowed throughout
the Prussian territories.

Oh world, ill-judging world, deceived by show! Dost thou
not blindly follow the opinion of the prince, be he severe,
arbitrary, or just? Thy censure and thy praise equally
originate in common report. In Magdeburg I lay, chained to
the wall, ten years, sighing in wretchedness, every calamity of
hunger, cold, nakedness, and contempt. And wherefore?
Because the King, deceived by slanderers, pronounced me worthy of
punishment. Because a wise King mistook me, and treated me
with barbarity. Because a prudent King knew he had done
wrong, yet would not have it so supposed. So was his heart
turned to stone; nay, opposed by manly fortitude, was enraged to
cruelty. Most men were convinced I was an innocent
sufferer; “Yet did they all cry out the more, saying, let
him be crucified!” My relations were ashamed to hear
my name. My sister was barbarously treated because she
assisted me in my misfortunes. No man durst avow himself my
friend, durst own I merited compassion; or, much less, that the
infallible King had erred. I was the most despised, forlorn
man on earth; and when thus put on the rack, had I there expired,
my epitaph would have been, “Here lies the traitor,
Trenck.”

Frederic is dead, and the scene is changed; another monarch
has ascended the throne, and the grub has changed to a beautiful
butterfly! The witnesses to all I have asserted are still
living, loudly now proclaim the truth, and embrace me with
heart-felt affection.

Does the worth of a man depend upon his actions? his reward or
punishment upon his virtue? In arbitrary states, certainly
not. They depend on the breath of a king! Frederic
was the most penetrating prince of his age, but the most
obstinate also. A vice dreadful to those whom he selected
as victims, who must be sacrificed to the promoting of his
arbitrary views.

How many perished, the sin offerings of Frederic’s
obstinate self-will, whose orphan children now cry to God for
vengeance! The dead, alas! cannot plead. Trial began
and ended with execution. The few words—It is the king’s command—were
words of horror to the poor condemned wretch denied to plead his
innocence! Yet what is the Ukase (Imperial order) in
Russia, Tel est notre bon plaisir (Such is our pleasure)
in France, or the Allergnadigste Hofresolution (The all-gracious
sentence of the court), pronounced with the sweet tone of a
Vienna matron? In what do these differ from the arbitrary
order of a military despot?

Every prayer of man should be consecrated to man’s
general good; for him to obtain freedom and universal
justice! Together should we cry with one voice, and, if
unable to shackle arbitrary power, still should we endeavour to
show how dangerous it is! The priests of liberty should
offer up their thanks to the monarch who declares “the word
of power” a nullity, and “the sentence” of
justice omnipotent.

Who can name the court in Europe where Louis, Peter, or
Frederic, each and all surnamed The Great, have not been, and are
not, imitated as models of perfection? Lettres-de-cachet,
the knout, and cabinet-orders, superseding all right, are become
law!

No reasoning, says the corporal to the poor grenadier, whom he
canes!—No reasoning! exclaim judges; the court has
decided.—No reasoning, rash and pertinacious Trenck, will
the prudent reader echo. Throw thy pen in the fire, and
expose not thyself to become the martyr of a state
inquisition.

My fate is, and must remain, critical and undecided. I
have six-and-thirty years been in the service of Austria,
unrewarded, and beholding the repeated and generous efforts I
made effectually to serve that state, unnoticed. The
Emperor Joseph supposes me old, that the fruit is wasted, and
that the husk only remains. It is also supposed I should
not be satisfied with a little. To continue to oppress him
who has once been oppressed, and who possess qualities that may
make injustice manifest, is the policy of states. My
journey to Berlin has given the slanderer further opportunity of
painting me as a suspicious character: I smile at the ineffectual
attempt.

I appeared in the Imperial uniform and belied such
insinuations. To this purpose it was written to court, in
November, when I went into Hungary, “The motions of Trenck
ought to be observed in Hungary.” Ye poor malicious
blood-suckers of the virtuous! Ye shall not be able to hurt
a hair of my head. Ye cannot injure the man who has sixty
years lived in honour. I will not, in my old age, bring
upon myself the reproach of inconstancy, treachery, or desire of
revenge. I will betray no political secrets: I wish not to
injure those by whom I have been injured.—Such acts I will
never commit. I never yet descended to the office of spy,
nor will I die a rewarded villain.

Yes, I appeared in Berlin among the upright and the
just. Instead of being its supposed enemy, I was declared
an honour to my country. I appeared in the Imperial uniform
and fulfilled the duties of my station: and now must the Prussian
Trenck return to Austria, there to perform a father’s
duty.

Yet more of what happened in Berlin.

Some days after I had been presented to the King, I entreated
a private audience, and on the 12th of February received the
following letter:—

“In answer to your letter of the 8th of this
month, I inform you that, if you will come to me to-morrow, at
five o’clock in the afternoon, I shall have the pleasure to
speak with you; meantime, I pray God to take you into his holy
keeping.

“Frederic
William.

“Berlin, Feb. 12, 1787.”

“P.S.—After signing the above, I find it more
convenient to appoint to-morrow, at nine in the morning, about
which time you will come into the apartment named the Marmor
Kammer (marble chamber).”

The anxiety with which I expected this wished-for interview
may well be conceived. I found the Prussian Titus alone,
and he continued in conversation with me more than an hour.

How kind was the monarch! How great! How nobly did
he console me for the past! How entirely did his assurance
of favour overpower my whole soul! He had read the history
of my life. When prince of Prussia, he had been an
eyewitness, in Magdeburg, of my martyrdom, and my attempts to
escape. His Majesty parted from me with tokens of esteem
and condescension.—My eyes bade adieu, but my heart
remained in the marble chamber, in company with a prince capable
of sensations so dignified; and my wishes for his welfare are
eternal.

I have since travelled through the greater part of the
Prussian states. Where is the country in which the people
are all satisfied? Many complained of hard times, or
industry unrewarded. My answer was:—

“Friends, kneel with the rising sun, and thank the God
of heaven that you are Prussians. I have seen and known
much of this world, and I assure you, you are among the happiest
people of Europe. Causes of complaint everywhere exist; but
you have a king, neither obstinate, ambitious, covetous, nor
cruel: his will is that his people should have cause of content,
and should he err by chance, his heart is not to blame if the
subject suffers.”

Prussia is neither wanting in able nor learned men. The
warmth of patriots glows in their veins. Everything remains
with equal stability, as under the reign of Frederic; and should
the thunder burst, the ready conductors will render the shock
ineffectual.

Hertzberg still labours in the cabinet, still thinks, writes,
and acts as he has done for years. The king is desirous
that justice shall be done to his subjects, and will punish,
perhaps, with more severity, whenever he finds himself deceived,
than from the goodness of his disposition, might be
supposed. The treasury is full, the army continues the
same, and there is little reason to doubt but that industry,
population, and wealth will increase. None but the vile and
the wicked would leave the kingdom; while the oppressed and best
subjects of other states would fly from their native country,
certain of finding encouragement and security in Prussia.

The personal qualities of Fredric William merit
description. He is tall and handsome, his mien is majestic,
and his accomplishments of mind and body would procure him the
love of men, were he not a king. He is affable without
deceit, friendly and kind in conversation, and stately when
stateliness is necessary. He is bountiful, but not profuse;
he knows that without economy the Prussian must sink. He is
not tormented by the spirit of conquest, he wishes harm to no
nation, yet he will certainly not suffer other nations to make
encroachments, nor will he be terrified by menaces.

The wise Frederic, when living, though himself learned, and a
lover of the sciences, never encouraged them in his
kingdom. Germany, under his reign, might have forgotten her
language: he preferred the literature of France.
Königsberg, once the seminary of the North, contains, at
present, few professors, or students; the former are fallen into
disrepute, and are ill paid; the latter repair to Leipsic and
Gottingen. We have every reason to suppose the present
monarch, though no studious man himself, will encourage the
academies of the literati, that men learned in jurisprudence and
the sciences may not be wanting: which want is the more to be
apprehended as the nobility must, without exception, serve in the
army, so that learning has but few adherents, and these are
deprived of the means of improvement.

Frederic William is also too much the friend of men to suffer
them to pine in prisons. He abhors the barbarity with which
the soldiers are beaten: his officers will not be fettered hand
and foot; slavish subordination will be banished, and the noble
in heart will be the noble of the land. May he, in his
people, find perfect content! May his people be ever worthy
of such a prince! Long may he reign, and may his ministers
be ever enlightened and honourable men!

He sent for me a second time, conversed much with me, and
confirmed those ideas which my first interview had inspired.

On the 11th of March I presented my son at another audience,
whom I intended for the Prussian service. The King bestowed
a commission on him in the Posadowsky dragoons, at my
request.

I saw him at the review at Velau, and his superior officers
formed great expectations from his zeal. Time will discover
whether he who is in the Austrian, or this in the Prussian
service, will first obtain the rewards due to their father.
Should they both remain unnoticed, I will bestow him on the Grand
Turk, rather than on European courts, whence equity to me and
mine is banished.

To Austria I owe no thanks; all that could be taken from me
was taken. I was a captain before I entered those
territories, and, after six-and-thirty years’ service, I
find myself in the rank of invalid major. The proof of all
I have asserted, and of how little I am indebted to this state is
most incontestable, since the history of my life is allowed by
the royal censor to be publicly sold in Vienna.

It is remarkable that one only of all the eight officers, with
whom I served, in the body guard, in 1745, is dead.
Lieutenant-colonel Count Blumenthal lives in Berlin; Pannewitz is
commander of the Knights of Malta: both gave me a friendly
reception. Wagnitz is lieutenant-general in the service of
Hesse-Cassel; he was my tent comrade, and was acquainted with all
that happened. Kalkreuter and Grethusen live on their
estates, and Jaschinsky is now alive at Königsberg, but
superannuated, and tortured by sickness, and remorse. He,
instead of punishment, has forty years enjoyed a pension of a
thousand rix-dollars. I have seen my lands confiscated, of
the income of which I have been forty-two years deprived, and
never yet received retribution.

Time must decide; the king is generous, and I have too much
pride to become a beggar. The name of Trenck shall be found
in the history of the acts of Frederic. A tyrant himself,
he was the slave of his passions; and even did not think an
inquiry into my innocence worth the trouble. To be ashamed
of doing right, because he has done wrong, or to persist in
error, that fools, and fools only, can think him infallible, is a
dreadful principle in a ruler.

Since I have been at Berlin, and was received there with so
many testimonies of friendship, the newspapers of Germany have
published various articles concerning me, intending to contribute
to my honour or ease. They said my eldest daughter is
appointed the governess of the young Princess. This has
been the joke of some witty correspondent; for my eldest daughter
is but fifteen, and stands in need of a governess herself.
Perhaps they may suppose me mean enough to circulate
falsehood.

I daily receive letters from all parts of Germany, wherein the
sensations of the feeling heart are evident. Among these
letters was one which I received from Bahrdt, Professor at Halle,
dated April 10, 1787 wherein he says, “Receive, noble
German, the thanks of one who, like you, has encountered
difficulties; yet, far inferior to those you have
encountered. You, with gigantic strength, have met a host
of foes, and conquered. The pests of men attacked me
also. From town to town, from land to land, I was pursued
by priestcraft and persecution; yet I acquired fame. I fled
for refuge and repose to the states of Frederic, but found them
not. I have eight years laboured under affliction with
perseverance, but have found no reward. By industry have I
made myself what I am; by ministerial favour, never. Worn
out and weak, the history of your life, worthy sir, fell into my
hands, and poured balsam into my wounds. There I saw
sufferings immeasurably greater; there, indeed, beheld fortitude
most worthy of admiration. Compared to you, of what could I
complain? Receive, noble German, my warmest thanks; while I
live they shall flow. And should you find a fortunate
moment, in the presence of your King, speak of me as one
consigned to poverty; as one whose talents are buried in
oblivion. Say to him—‘Mighty King! stretch
forth thy hand, and dry up his tears.’ I know the
nobleness of your mind, and doubt not your good
wishes.”

To the Professor’s letter I returned the following
answer:—

“I was affected, sir, by your letter.
I never yet was unmoved, when the pen was obedient to the
dictates of the heart. I feel for your situation; and if my
example can teach wisdom even to the wise, I have cause to
triumph. This is the sweetest of rewards. At Berlin I
have received much honour, but little more. Men are deaf to
him who confides only in his right. What have I
gained? Shadowy fame for myself, and the vapour of hope for
my heirs!

“Truth and Trenck, my good friend, flourish not in
courts. You complain of priestcraft. He who would
disturb their covetousness, he who speaks against the false
opinions they scatter, considers not priests, and their aim,
which is to dazzle the stupid and stupefy the wise.
Deprecate their wrath! avoid their poisoned shafts, or they will
infect tiny peace: will blast thy honour. And wherefore
should we incur this danger. To cure ignorance of error is
impossible. Let us then silently steal to our graves, and
thus small we escape the breath of envy. He who should
enjoy all even thought could grasp, should yet have but
little. Having acquired this knowledge, the passions of the
soul are lulled to apathy. I behold error, and I laugh; do
thou, my friend, laugh also. If that can comfort us, men
will do our memory justice—when we are dead! Fame
plants her laurels over the grave, and there they flourish
best.

“Baron
Trenck

“Schangulach, near Königsberg,April 30th, 1787.”

“P.S—I have spoken, worthy Professor, the feelings
of my heart, in answer to your kind panegyric. You will but
do me justice, when you believe I think and act as I write with
respect to my influence at court, it is as insignificant at
Berlin as at Vienna or at Constantinople”

Among the various letters I have received, as it may answer a
good purpose, I hope the reader will not think the insertion of
the following improper.

In a letter from an unknown correspondent, who desired me to
speak for this person at Berlin, eight others were
enclosed. They came from the above person in distress, to
this correspondent: and I was requested to let them appear in the
Berlin Journal. I selected two of them, and here present
them to the world, as it can do me injury, while they describe an
unhappy victim of an extraordinary kind: and may perhaps obtain
him some relief.

Should this hope be verified, I am acquainted with him who
wishes to remain concealed, can introduce him to the knowledge of
such as might wish to interfere in his behalf. Should they
not, the reader will still find them well-written and affecting
letters; such as may inspire compassion. The following is
the first of those I selected.

LETTER I

“Neuland,
Feb 12th, 1787.

“I thought I had so satisfactorily answered you by my
last, that you would have left me in peaceful possession of my
sorrows! but your remarks, entreaties, and remonstrances, succeed
each other with such rapidity, that I am induced to renew the
contest. Cowardice, I believe, you are convinced, is not a
native in my heart, and should I now yield, you might suppose
that age and the miseries I have suffered, had weakened my powers
of mind as well as body; and that I ought to have been classed
among the unhappy multitudes whose sufferings have sunk them to
despondency.

“Baron Trenck, that man of many woes, once so despised,
but who now is held in admiration, where he was before so much
the object of hatred; who now speaks so loudly in his own
defence, where, formerly, the man who had but whispered his name
would have lived suspected; Baron Trenck you propose as an
example of salvation for me. You are wrong. Have you
considered how dissimilar our past lives have been; how
different, too, are our circumstances? Or, omitting these,
have you considered to whom you would have me appeal?

“In 1767, I became acquainted, in Vienna, with this
sufferer of fortitude, this agreeable companion. We are
taught that a noble aspect bespeaks a corresponding mind; this I
believe him to possess. But what expectations can I form
from Baron Trenck?

“I will briefly answer the questions you have put.
Baron Trenck was a man born to inherit great estates; this and
the fire of his youth, fanned by flattering hopes from his famous
kinsman, rendered him too haughty to his King; and this alone was
the origin of all his future sufferings. I, on the
contrary, though the son of a Silesian nobleman of property, did
not inherit so much as the pay of a common soldier; the family
having been robbed by the hand of power, after being accused by
wickedness under the mask of virtue. You know my
father’s fate, the esteem in which he was held by the
Empress Theresa; and that a pretended miracle was the occasion of
his fall. Suddenly was he plunged from the height to which
industry, talents, and virtue had raised him, to the depth of
poverty. At length, at the beginning of the seven
years’ war, one of the King of Prussia’s subjects
represented him to the Austrian court as a dangerous
correspondent of Marshal Schwerin’s. Then at sixty
years of age, my father was seized at Jagerndorf, and imprisoned
in the fortress of Gratz, in Styria. He had an allowance
just sufficient to keep him alive in his dungeon; but, for the
space of seven years, never beheld the sun rise or set. I
was a boy when this happened, however, I was not heard. I
only received some pecuniary relief from the Empress, with
permission to shed my blood in her defence. In this
situation we first vowed eternal friendship; but from this I soon
was snatched by my father’s enemies. What the Empress
had bestowed, her ministers tore from me. I was seized at
midnight, and was brought, in company with two other officers, to
the fortress of Gratz. Here I remained immured six
years. My true name was concealed, and another given
me.

“Peace being restored, Trenck, I, and my father were
released; but the mode of our release was very different.
The first obtained his freedom at the intercession of Theresa,
she, too, afforded him a provision. We, on the contrary,
according to the amnesty, stipulated in the treaty of peace, were
led from our dungeons as state prisoners, without inquiry
concerning the verity or falsehood of our crimes. Extreme
poverty, wretchedness, and misery, were our reward for the
sufferings we had endured.

“Not only was my health destroyed, but my jawbone was
lost, eaten away by the scurvy. I laid before Frederic the
Great the proofs of the calamities I had undergone, and the
dismal state to which I was reduced, by his foe, and for his
sake; entreated bread to preserve me and my father from starving,
but his ear was deaf to my prayer, his heart insensible to my
sighs.

“Providence, however, raised me up a
saviour,—Count Gellhorn was the man. After the taking
of Breslau, he had been also sent a state prisoner to
Gratz. During his imprisonment, he had heard the report of
my sufferings and my innocence. No sooner did he learn I
was released, than he became my benefactor, my friend, and
restored me to the converse of men, to which I had so long been
dead.

“I defer the continuance of my narrative to the next
post. The remembrance of past woes inflict new ones.
I am eternally.”

LETTER II.

“My personal sufferings have not been less than those of
Trenck. His, I am acquainted with only from the inaccurate
relations I have heard: my own I have felt. A colonel in
the Prussian service, whose name was Hallasch, was four years my
companion; he was insane, and believed himself the Christ that
was to appear at the millennium: he persecuted me with his
reveries, which I was obliged to listen to, and approve, or
suffer violence from one stronger than myself.

“The society of men or books, everything that could
console or amuse, were forbidden me; and I considered it as
wonderful that I did not myself grow mad, in the company of this
madman. Four hard winters I existed without feeling the
feeble emanation of a winter sun, much less the warmth of
fire. The madman felt more pity than my keeper, and lent me
his cloak to cover my body, though the other denied me a truss of
straw, notwithstanding I had lost the use of my hands and
feet. The place where we were confined was called a
chamber; it rather resembled the temple of Cloacina. The
noxious damps and vapours so poisoned my blood that an unskilful
surgeon, who tortured me during nine months, with insult as a
Prussian traitor, and state criminal, I lost the greatest part of
my jaw.

“Schottendorf was our governor and tyrant; a man who
repaid the friendship he found in the mansion of my
fathers—with cruelty. He was ripe for the sickle, and
Time cut him off. Tormentini and Galer were his successors
in office, by them we were carefully watched, but we were treated
with commiseration. Their precautions rendered imprisonment
less wretched. Ever shall I hold their memory sacred.
Yet, benevolent as they were, their goodness was exceeded by that
of Rottensteiner, the head gaoler. He considered his
prisoners as his children; and he was their benefactor. Of
this I had experience, during two years after the release of
Hallasch.

“Here I but cursorily describe misery, at which the
monarch shall shudder, if the blood of a tyrant flow not in his
veins. Theresa could not wish these things. But she
was fallible, and not omniscient.

“From the above narrative, you will perceive how
opposite the effects must be which the histories of Baron Trenck
and of myself must produce.

“Trenck left his dungeon shielded from contempt; the day
of freedom was the day of triumph. I, on the contrary, was
exposed to every calamity. The spirit of Trenck again
raised itself. I have laboured many a night that I might
neither beg nor perish the following day: working for judges who
neither knew law nor had powers of mind to behold the beauty of
justice: settling accounts that, item after item, did not prove
that the lord they were intended for, was an imbecile dupe.

“Trenck remembers his calamities, but the remembrance is
advantageous to himself and his family; while with me, the past
did but increase, did but agonise, the present and the
future. He was not like me, obliged to crouch in presence
of those vulgar, those incapable minds, that do but consider the
bent back as the footstool of pride. Every man is too busy
to act in behalf of others; pity me therefore, but advise me not
to hope assistance, by petitioning princes at second hand.
I know your good wishes, and, for these, I have nothing to return
but barren thanks.—I am, &c.”

The reasons why I published the foregoing letters are already
stated, and will appear satisfactory to the reader. Once
more to affairs that concern myself.

I met at Berlin many old friends of both sexes; among others,
an aged invalid came to see me, who was at Glatz, in 1746, when I
cut my way through the guard. He was one of the sentinels
before my door, whom I had thrown down the stairs.

The hour of quitting Berlin, and continuing my journey into
Prussia, towards Königsberg, approached. On the eve of
my departure, I had the happiness of conversing with her Royal
Highness the Princess Amelia, sister of Frederic the Great.
She protected me in my hour of adversity; heaped benefits upon
me, and contributed to gain my deliverance. She received me
as a friend, as an aged patriot; and laid her commands upon me to
write to my wife, and request that she would come to Berlin, in
the month of June, with her two eldest daughters. I
received her promise that the happiness of the latter should be
her care; nay, that she would remember my wife in her will.

At this moment, when about to depart, she asked me if I had
money sufficient for my journey: “Yes, madam,” was my
reply; “I want nothing, ask nothing; but may you remember
my children!”

The deep feeling with which I pronounced these words moved the
princess; she showed me how she comprehended my meaning, and
said, “Return, my friend, quickly: I shall be most happy to
see you.”

I left the room: a kind of indecision came over me. I
was inclined to remain longer at Berlin. Had I done so, my
presence would have been of great advantage to my children.
Alas! under the guidance of my evil genius, I began my
journey. The purpose for which I came to Berlin was
frustrated: for after my departure, the Princess Amelia died!

Peace be to thy ashes, noble princess! Thy will was
good, and be that sufficient. I shall not want materials to
write a commentary on the history of Frederic, when, in company
with thee, I shall wander on the banks of Styx; there the events
that happened on this earth may be written without danger.

So proceed we with our story.

CHAPTER X.

On the 22nd of March I pursued my journey to Königsberg,
but remained two days at the court of the Margrave of
Brandenburg, where I was received with kindness. The
Margrave had bestowed favours on me, during my imprisonment at
Magdeburg.

I departed thence through Soldin to Schildberg, here to visit
my relation Sidau, who had married the daughter of my sister,
which daughter my sister had by her first husband, Waldow, of
whom I have before spoken. I found my kinsman a worthy man,
and one who made the daughter of an unfortunate sister
happy. I was received at his house within open arms; and,
for the first time after an interval of two-and-forty years,
beheld one of my own relations.

On my journey thither, I had the pleasure to meet with
Lieutenant-General Kowalsky: This gentleman was a lieutenant in
the garrison of Glatz, in 1745, and was a witness of my leap from
the wall of the rampart. He had read my history, some of
the principal facts of which he was acquainted with. Should
anyone therefore doubt concerning those incidents, I may refer to
him, whose testimony cannot be suspected.

From Schildberg I proceeded to Landsberg, on the Warta.
Here I found my brother-in-law, Colonel Pape, commander of the
Gotz dragoons, and the second husband of my deceased sister: and
here I passed a joyous day. Everybody congratulated me on
my return into my country.

I found relations in almost every garrison. Never did
man receive more marks of esteem throughout a kingdom. The
knowledge of my calamities procured me sweet consolation; and I
were insensible indeed, and ungrateful, did my heart remain
unmoved on occasions like these.

In Austria I never can expect a like reception; I am there
mistaken, and I feel little inclination to labour at removing
mistakes so rooted. Yet, even there am I by the general
voice, approved. Yes, I am admired, but not known; pitied
but not supported; honoured, but not rewarded.

When at Berlin, I discovered an error I had committed in the
commencement of my life. At the time I wrote I believed
that the postmaster-general of Berlin, Mr Derschau, was my
mother’s brother, and the same person who, in 1742, was
grand counsellor at Glogau, and afterwards, president in East
Friesland. I was deceived; the Derschau who is my
mother’s brother is still living, and president at Aurich
in East Friesland. The postmaster was the son of the old
Derschau who died a general, and who was only distantly related
to my mother. Neither is the younger Derschau, who is the
colonel of a regiment at Burg, the brother of my mother, but only
her first cousin; one of their sisters married Lieut.-Colonel
Ostau, whose son, the President Ostau, now lives on his own
estate, at Lablack in Prussia.

I was likewise deceived in having suspected a lieutenant,
named Mollinie, in the narrative I gave of my flight from Glatz,
of having acted as a spy upon me at Braunau, and of having sent
information to General Fouquet. I am sorry. This
honest man is still alive, a captain in Brandenburg. He was
affected at my suspicion, fully justified himself, and here I
publicly apologise. He then was, and again is become my
friend.

I have received a letter from one Lieutenant Brodowsky.
This gentleman is offended at finding his mother’s name in
my narrative, and demands I should retract my words.

My readers will certainly allow the virtue of Madame
Brodowsky, at Elbing, is not impeached. Although I have
said I had the fortune to be beloved by her, I have nowhere
intimated that I asked, or that she granted, improper
favours.

By the desire of a person of distinction, I shall insert an
incident which I omitted in a former part. This person was
an eye-witness of the incident I am about to relate, at
Magdeburg, and reminded me of the affair. It was my last
attempt but one at flight.

The circumstances were these:—

As I found myself unable to get rid of more sand, after having
again cut through the planking, and mined the foundation, I made
a hole towards the ditch, in which three sentinels were
stationed. This I executed one night, it being easy, from
the lightness of the sand, to perform the work in two hours.

No sooner had I broken through, than I threw one of my
slippers beside the palisades, that it might be supposed I had
lost it when climbing over them. These palisades, twelve
feet in length, were situated in the front of the principal
fosse, and my sentinels stood within. There was no
sentry-box at the place where I had broken through.

This done, I returned into my prison, made another hole under
the planking, where I could hide myself, and stopped up the
passage behind me, so that it was not probable I could be seen or
found.

When daylight came, the sentinel saw the hole and gave the
alarm, the slipper was found, and it was concluded that Trenck
had escaped over the palisades, and was no longer in prison.

Immediately the sub-governor came from Magdeburg, the guns
were fired, the horse scoured the country, and the subterranean
passages were all visited: no tidings came; no discovery was
made, and the conclusion was I had escaped. That I should
fly without the knowledge of the sentinels, was deemed
impossible; the officer, and all the guard, were put under
arrest, and everybody was surprised.

I, in the meantime, sat quiet in my hole, where I heard their
searches, and suppositions that I was gone.

My heart bounded with joy, and I held escape to be
indubitable. They would not place sentinels over the prison
the following night, and I should then really have left my place
of concealment, and, most probably have safely arrived in
Saxony. My destiny, however, robbed me of all hope at the
very moment when I supposed the greatest of my difficulties were
conquered.

Everything seemed to happen as I could wish. The whole
garrison came, and visited the casemates, and all stood
astonished at the miracle they beheld. In this state things
remained till four o’clock in the afternoon. At
length, an ensign of the militia came, a boy of about fifteen or
sixteen years of age, who had more wit than any or all of
them. He approached the hole, examined the aperture next
the fosse, thought it appeared small, tried to enter it himself,
found he could not, therefore concluded it was impossible a man
of my size could have passed through, and accordingly called for
a light.

This was an accident I had not foreseen. Half stifled in
my hole, I had opened the canal under the planking. No
sooner had the youth procured a light, than he perceived my
shirt, examined nearer, felt about, and laid hold of me by the
arm. The fox was caught, and the laugh was universal.
My confusion may easily be imagined. They all came round
me, paid me their compliments, and finding nothing better was to
be done, I laughed in company with them, and, thus laughing was
led back with an aching heart to be sorrowfully enchained in my
dungeon.

I continued my journey, and arrived, on the fourth of April,
at Königsberg, where my brother expected my arrival.
We embraced as brothers must, after the absence of two-and-forty
years. Of all the brothers and sisters I had left in this
city, he only remained. He lived a retired and peaceable
life on his own estates. He had no children living. I
continued a fortnight within him and his wife.

Here, for the first time, I learned what had happened to my
relations, during their absence. The wrath of the Great
Frederic extended itself to all my family. My second
brother was an ensign in the regiment of cuirassiers at Kiow, in
1746, when I first incurred disgrace from the King. Six
years he served, fought at three battles, but, because his name
was Trenck, never was promoted. Weary of expectation he
quitted the army, married, and lived on his estates at Meicken,
where he died about three years ago, and left two sons, who are
an honour to the family of the Trencks.

Fame spoke him a person capable of rendering the state
essential service, as a military man; but he was my brother, and
the King would never suffer his name to be mentioned.

My youngest brother applied himself to the sciences; it was
proposed that he should receive some civil employment, as he was
an intelligent and well-informed man; but the King answered in
the margin of the petition,

“No Trenck is good for anything.”

Thus have all my family suffered, because of my unjust
condemnation. My last-mentioned brother chose the life of a
private man, and lived at his ease, in independence, among the
first people of the kingdom. The hatred of the monarch
extended itself to my sister, who had married the son of General
Waldow, and lived in widowhood, from the year 1749, to her second
marriage. The misfortunes of this woman, in consequence of
the treachery of Weingarten, and the aid she sent to me in my
prison at Magdeburg, I have before related. She was
possessed of the fine estate of Hammer, near Landsberg on the
Warta. The Russian army changed the whole face of the
country, and laid it desert. She fled to Custrin, where
everything was destroyed during the siege. The Prussian
army also demolished the fine forests.

After the war, the King assisted all the ruined families of
Brandenburg; she alone obtained nothing, because she was my
sister. She petitioned the King, who repined she must seek
for redress from her dear brother. She died, in the flower
of her age, a short time after she had married her second
husband, the present Colonel Pape: her son, also, died last
year. He was captain in the regiment of the Gotz
dragoons. Thus were all my brothers and sisters punished
because they were mine. Could it be believed that the great
Frederic would revenge himself on the children and the
children’s children? Was it not sufficient that he
should wreak his wrath on my head alone? Why has the name
of Trenck been hateful to him, to the very hour of his death?

One Derschau, captain of horse, and brother of my mother,
addressed himself to the King, in 1753, alleging he was my
nearest relation and feudal heir, and petitioned that he would
bestow on him my confiscated estates of Great Sharlack. The
King demanded that the necessary proofs should be sent from the
chamber at Königsberg. He was uninformed that I had
two brothers living, that Great Sharlack was an ancient family
inheritance, and that it appertained to my brothers, and not to
Derschau. My brothers then announced themselves as the
successors to this fief, and the King bestowed on them the estate
of Great Sharlack conformable to the feudal laws. That it
might be properly divided, it was put up to auction, and bought
by the youngest of my brothers, who paid surplus to the other,
and to my sister. He likewise paid debts charged upon it,
according to the express orders of the court. The persons
who called themselves my creditors were impostors, for I had no
creditors; I was but nineteen when my estates were confiscated,
consequently was not of age. By what right therefore, could
such debts be demanded or paid? Let them explain this who
can.

The same thing happened when an account was given in to the
Fiscus of the guardianship, although I acknowledge my guardians
were men of probity. One of them was eight years in
possession, and when he gave it up to my brothers he did not
account with them for a single shilling. At present,
therefore, the affair stands thus:—Frederic William has
taken off the sentence of confiscation, and ordered me to be put
in possession of my estates, by a gracious rescript: empowered by
this I come and demand restitution; my brother answers, “I
have bought and paid for the estate, am the legal possessor, have
improved it so much that Great Sharlack, at present, is worth
three or four times the sum it was at the time of
confiscation. Let the Fiscus pay me its actual value, and
then let them bestow it on whom they please. If the
reigning king gives what his predecessor sold to me, I ought not
thereby to be a loser.”

This is a problem which the people of Berlin must
resolve. My brother has no children, and, without going to
law, will bequeath Great Sharlack to mine, when he shall happen
to die. If he is forced in effect to restore it without
being reimbursed, the King instead of granting a favour, has not
done justice. I do not request any restitution like this,
since such restitution would be made without asking it as a
favour of the King. If his Majesty takes off the
confiscation because he is convinced it was originally violent
and unjust, then have I a right to demand the rents of
two-and-forty years. This I am to require from the Fiscus,
not from my brother. And should the Fiscus only restore me
the price for which it then sold, it would commit a manifest
injustice, since all estates in the province of Prussia have,
since 1746, tripled and quadrupled their value. If the
estates descend only to my children after my death, I receive
neither right nor favour; for, in this case, I obtain nothing for
myself, and shall remain deprived of the rents, which, as the
estate is at present farmed by my brother amount to four thousand
rix-dollars per annum. This estate cannot be taken from him
legally, since he enjoys it by right of purchase.

Such is the present state of the business. How the
monarch shall think proper to decide, will be seen
hereafter. I have demanded of the Fiscus that it shall make
a fair valuation of Great Sharlack, reimburse my brother, and
restore it to me. My brother has other estates. These
he will dispose of by testament, according to his good
pleasure. Be these things as they may, the purpose of my
journey is accomplished.

May this my narration be a lesson to the afflicted, afford
hope to the despairing, fortitude to the wavering, and humanise
the hearts of kings. Joyfully do I journey to the shores of
death. My conscience is void of reproach, posterity shall
bless my memory, and only the unfeeling, the wicked, the
confessor of princes and the pious impostor, shall vent their
rage against my writings. My mind is desirous of repose,
and should this be denied me, still I will not murmur. I
now wish to steal gently towards that last asylum, whither if I
had gone in my youth, it must have been with colours
flying. Grant, Almighty God, that the prayer I this day
make may be heard, and that such may be the conclusion of my
eventful life!

HISTORY OF
FRANCIS BARON TRENCK.
WRITTEN BY
FREDERICK BARON TRENCK,
AS A NECESSARY SUPPLEMENT TO HIS OWN HISTORY.

Francis Baron Trenck was born in 1714, in Calabria, a province
of Sicily. His father was then a governor and
lieutenant-colonel there, and died in 1743, at Leitschau, in
Hungary, lord of the rich manors of Prestowacz, Pleternitz, and
Pakratz, in Sclavonia, and other estates in Hungary. His
christian name was John; he was my father’s brother, and
born in Königsberg in Prussia.

The name of his mother was Kettler; she was born in
Courland. Trenck was a gentleman of ancient family; and his
grandfather, who was mine also, was of Prussia. His father,
who had served Austria to the age of sixty-eight, a colonel, and
bore those wounds to his grave which attested his valour.

Francis Baron Trenck was his only son; he had attained the
rank of colonel during his father’s life, and served with
distinction in the army of Maria Theresa. The history of
his life, which he published in 1747, when he was under
confinement at Vienna, is so full of minute circumstances, and so
poorly written, that I shall make but little use of it.
Here I shall relate only what I have heard from his enemies
themselves, and what I have myself seen. His father, a bold
and daring soldier, idolised his only son, and wholly neglected
his education, so that the passions of this son were most
unbridled. Endowed with extraordinary talents, this ardent
youth was early allowed to indulge the impetuous fire of his
constitution. Moderation was utterly unknown to him, and
good fortune most remarkably favoured all his enterprises.
These were numerous, undertaken from no principle of virtue, nor
actuated by any motives of morality. The love of money, and
the desire of fame, were the passions of his soul. To his
warlike inclination was added the insensibility of a heart
natively wicked: and he found himself an actor, on the great
scene of life, at a time when the earth was drenched with human
gore, and when the sword decided the fate of nations: hence this
chief of pandours, this scourge of the unprotected, became an
iron-hearted enemy, a ferocious foe of the human race, a
formidable enemy in private life, and a perfidious friend.

Constitutionally sanguinary, addicted to pleasures, sensual,
and brave; he was unappeased when affronted, prompt to act, in
the moment of danger circumspect, and, when under the dominion of
anger, cruel even to fury; irreconcilable, artful, fertile in
invention, and ever intent on great projects. When youth
and beauty inspired love, he then became supple, insinuating,
amiable, gentle, respectful; yet, ever excited by pride, each
conquest gave but new desires of adding another slave over whom
he might domineer; and, whenever he encountered resistance, he
then even ceased to be avaricious. A prudent and
intelligent woman, turning this part of his character to
advantage, might have formed this man to virtue, probity, and the
love of the human race: but, from his infancy, his will had never
suffered restraint, and he thought nothing impossible. As a
soldier, he was bold even to temerity; capable of the most
hazardous enterprise, and laughing at the danger he
provoked. His projects were the more elevated because the
acquirement of renown was the intent of all his actions. In
council he was dangerous; everything must be conceded to his
views. To him the means by which his end was to be obtained
were indifferent.

The Croats at this time were undisciplined, prone to rapine,
thirsting for human blood, and only taught obedience by violence;
these had been the companions of his infancy: these he undertook
to subject, by servitude and fear, to military subordination, and
from banditti to make them soldiers.

With respect to his exterior, Nature had been prodigal of her
favours. His height was six feet three inches, and the
symmetry of his limbs was exact; his form was upright, his
countenance agreeable, yet masculine, and his strength almost
incredible. He could sever the head from the body of the
largest ox with one stroke of his sabre, and was so adroit at
this Turkish practice, that he at length could behead men in the
manner boys do nettles. In the latter years of his life,
his aspect had become terrible; for, during the Bavarian war, he
had been scorched by the explosion of a powder-barrel, and ever
after his face remained scarred and impregnated with black
spots. In company he rendered himself exceedingly
agreeable, spoke seven languages fluently, was jocular, possessed
wit, and in serious conversation, understanding; had learned
music, sung with taste, and had a good voice, so that he might
have been well paid as an actor, had that been his fate. He
could even, when so disposed, become gentle and complaisant.

His look told the man of observation that he was cunning and
choleric; and his wrath was terrible. He was ever
suspicious, because he judged others by himself.
Self-interest and avarice constituted his ruling passion, and,
whenever he had an opportunity of increasing his wealth, he
disregarded the duties of religion, the ties of honour, and human
pity. In the thirty-first year of his age, when he was
possessed of nearly two millions, he did not expend a florin per
day.

As he and his pandours always led the van, and as he thence
had an opportunity to ravage the enemy’s country, at the
head of troops addicted to rapine, we must not wonder that
Bavaria, Silesia, and Alsatia were so plundered. He alone
purchased the booty from his troops at a low price, and this he
sent by water to his own estates. If any one of his
officers had made a rich capture, Trenck instantly became his
enemy. He was sent on every dangerous expedition till he
fell, and the colonel became his universal heir, for Trenck
appropriated all he could to himself. He was reputed to be
a man most expert in military science, an excellent engineer, and
to possess an exact eye in estimating heights and
distances. In all enterprises he was first; inured to
fatigue, his iron body could support it without
inconvenience. Nothing escaped his vigilance, all was
turned to account, and what valour could not accomplish, cunning
supplied. His pride suffered him not to incur an
obligation, and thus he was unthankful; his actions all centred
in self, and as he was remarkably fortunate in whatever he
undertook, he ascribed even that, which accident gave, to
foresight and genius.

Yet was he ever, as an officer, a most useful and inestimable
man to the state. His respect for his sovereign, and his
zeal in her service, were unbounded; whenever her glory was at
stake, he devoted himself her victim. This I assert to be
truth: I knew him well. Of little consequence is it to me,
whether the historians of Maria Theresa have, or have not,
misrepresented his talents and the fame he deserved.

The life of Trenck I write for the following reasons. He
had the honour first to form, and command, regular troops, raised
in Sclavonia. The soldiers acquired glory under their
leader, and sustained the tottering power of Austria: they made
libations of their blood in its defence, as did Trenck, in
various battles. He served like a brave warrior, with zeal,
loyalty, and effect. The vile persecutions of his enemies
at Vienna, with whom he refused to share the plunder he had made,
lost him honour, liberty, and not only the personal property he
had acquired, but likewise the family patrimony in Hungary.
He died like a malefactor, illegally sentenced to imprisonment;
and knaves have affirmed, and fools have believed, and believe
still, he took the King of Prussia prisoner, and that he granted
him freedom in consequence of a bribe. So have the loyal
Hungarians been led to suppose that an Hungarian had really been
a traitor.

By my writings, I wish to prove to this noble nation on the
contrary, that Trenck, for his loyalty deserved compassion,
esteem, and honour in his country. This I have already done
in the former part of my history. The dead Trenck can speak
no more; but it is the duty of the living ever to speak in
defence of right.

Trenck wrote his own history while he was confined in the
arsenal at Vienna; and, in the last two sheets he openly related
the manner in which he had been treated by the council of war, of
which Count Loewenwalde, his greatest enemy, was president.
The count, however, found supporters too powerful, and these
sheets were torn from the book and publicly burnt at
Vienna. Defence after this became impossible: he groaned
under the grip of his adversaries.

I have given a literal copy of these sheets in the first part
of this history; and I again repeat I am able to prove the truth
of what is there asserted, by the acts, proceedings, and judicial
registers which are in my possession. He was confined in
the Spielberg, because much was to be dreaded from an injured
man, whom they knew capable of the most desperate
enterprises. He died defenceless, the sacrifice of iniquity
and unjust judges. He died, and his honour remained
unprotected. I am by duty his defender: although he expired
my personal enemy, the author of nearly all the ills I have
suffered. I came to the knowledge of his persecutors too
late for the unfortunate Trenck. And who are those who have
divided his spoils—who slew him that they might fatten
themselves? Your titles have been paid for from the coffers
of Trenck! Yet neither can your cabals, your wealthy
protectors, your own riches, nor your credit at court, deprive me
of the right of vindicating his fame.

I have boldly written, have openly shown, that Trenck was
pillaged by you; that he served the house of Austria as a worthy
man, with zeal; not in court-martials and committees of inquiry,
but fighting for his country, sharing the soldier’s glory,
falling the victim of envy and power; falling by the hands of
those who are unworthy of judging merit. He take the King
of Prussia! They might as well say he took the Emperor of
Morocco.

Yes, he is dead. But should any man dare affirm that the
Hungarian or the Prussian Trenck were capable of treason, that
either of them merited punishment for having betrayed their
country, he will not have long to seek before he will be informed
that he has done us both injustice. After this preface, I
shall continue my narrative on the plan I proposed. Trenck,
the father, was a miser, yet a well-meaning man. Trenck the
son, was a youthful soldier, who stood in need of money to
indulge his pleasures. Many curious pranks he played, when
an ensign in I know not what regiment of foot. He went to
one of the collectors of his father’s rents, and demanded
money; the collector refused to give him any, and Trenck clove
his skull with his sabre. A prosecution was entered against
him, but, war breaking out in 1756, between the Russians and the
Turks, he raised a squadron of hussars, and went with it into the
Russian service, contrary to the will of his father.

In this war he distinguished himself highly, and acquired the
protection of Field-marshal Munich. He was so successful as
a leader against the Tartars, that he became very famous in the
army, and at the end of the campaign, was appointed major.

It happened that flying parties of Turks approached his
regiment when on march, and Trenck seeing a favourable moment for
attacking them, went to Colonel Rumin, desiring the regiment
might be led to the charge, and that they might profit by so fair
an opportunity. The colonel answered, “I have no such
orders.” Trenck then demanded permission to charge
the Turks only with his own squadron; but this was refused.
He became furious, for he had never been acquainted with
contradiction or subordination, and cried aloud to the soldiers,
“If there be one brave man among you, let him follow
me.” About two hundred stepped from the ranks; he put
himself at their head, routed the enemy, made a horrible carnage,
and returned intoxicated with joy, accompanied by prisoners, and
loaded with dissevered heads. Once more arrived in presence
of the regiment, he attacked the colonel, treated him like the
rankest coward, called him opprobrious names, without the other
daring to make the least resistance. The adventure,
however, became known; Trenck was arrested, and ordered to be
tried. His judges condemned him to be shot, and the day was
appointed, but the evening before execution, Field-marshal Munich
passed near the tent in which he was confined, Trenck saw him,
came forward, and said, “Certainly your excellency will not
suffer a foreign cavalier to die an ignominious death because he
has chastised a cowardly Russian! If I must die, at least
give me permission to saddle my horse, and with my sabre in my
hand, let me fall surrounded by the enemy.”

The Tartars happened to be at this time harassing the advanced
posts; the Field-marshal shrugged his shoulders, and was
silent. Trenck, not discouraged, added, “I will
undertake to bring your excellency three heads or lose my
own. Will you, if I do, be pleased to grant me my
pardon?” The Field-marshal replied,
“Yes.” The horse of Trenck was brought: he
galloped to the enemy, and returned within four heads knotted to
the horse’s mane, himself only slightly wounded in the
shoulder. Munich immediately appointed him major in another
regiment. Various and almost incredible were his feats:
among others, a Tartar ran him through the belly with his lance:
Trenck grasped the projecting end with his hands, exerted his
prodigious strength, broke the lance, set spurs to his horse, and
happily escaped. Of this wound, dreadful as it was, he was
soon cured. I myself have seen the two scars, and can
affirm the fact; I also learned this, and many others in 1746,
from officers who had served in the same army.

During this campaign he behaved with great honour, was wounded
by an arrow in the leg, and gained the affection of Field-marshal
Munich, but excited the envy of all the Russians. Towards
the conclusion of the war he had a new misfortune; his regiment
was incommoded on all sides by the enemy: he entreated his
colonel, for leave to attack them. The colonel was once
more a Russian, and he was refused. Trenck gave him a blow,
and called aloud to the soldiers to follow him. They
however being Russians, remained motionless, and he was put under
arrest. The court-martial sentenced him to death, and all
hope of reprieve seemed over. The general would have
granted his pardon, but as he was himself a foreigner, he was
fearful of offending the Russians. The day of execution
came, and he was led to the place of death, Munich so contrived
it that Field-marshal Löwenthal should pass by, at this
moment, in company within his lady. Trenck profited by the
opportunity, spoke boldly, and prevailed. A reprieve was
requested, and the sentence was changed into banishment and
labour in Siberia.

Trenck protested against this sentence. The
Field-marshal wrote to Petersburg, and an order came that he
should be broken, and conducted out of the Russian
territories. This order was executed, and he returned into
Hungary to his father. At this period he espoused the
daughter of Field-marshal Baron Tillier, one of the first
families in Switzerland. The two brothers of his wife each
became lieutenant-general, one of whom died honourably during the
seven years’ war. The other was made
commander-general in Croatia, where he is still living, and is at
the head of a regiment of infantry that bears his name.
Trenck did not live long with his lady. She was pregnant,
and he took her to hunt with him in a marsh: she returned ill,
and died without leaving him an heir.

Having no opportunity to indulge his warlike inclination,
because of the general peace, he conceived the project of
extirpating the Sclavonian banditti.

Trenck, to execute this enterprise, employed his own
pandours. The contest now commenced and activity and
courage were necessary to ensure success in such a war.
Trenck seemed born for this murderous trade. Day and night
he chased them like wild beasts, killing now one, then another,
and without distinction, treating them with the utmost
barbarity.

Two incidents will sufficiently paint the character of this
unaccountable man. He had impaled alive the father of a
Harum-Bashaw. One evening he was going on patrol, along the
banks of a brook, which separated two provinces. On the
opposite shore was the son of this impaled father, with his
Croats. It was moonlight, and the latter called
aloud—“I heard thy voice, Trenck! Thou hast
impaled my father! If thou hast a heart in thy body, come
hither over the bridge, I will send away my followers; leave thy
firearms, come only with thy sabre, and we will then see who
shall remain the victor.” The agreement was
made—and the Harum-Bashaw sent away his Croats, and laid
down his musket. Trenck passed the wooden bridge, both drew
their sabres; but Trenck treacherously killed his adversary with
a pistol, that he had concealed, after which he severed his head
from his body, took it with him, and stuck it upon a pole.

One day, when hunting, he heard music in a lone house which
belonged to one of his vassals. He was thirsty, entered,
and found the guests seated at table. He sat down and ate
within them, not knowing this was a rendezvous for the
banditti. As he was seated opposite the door, he saw two
Harum-Bashaws enter. His musket stood in a corner; he was
struck with terror, but one of them addressed him
thus:—“Neither thee, nor thy vassals, Trenck, have we
ever injured, yet thou dost pursue us with cruelty. Eat thy
fill. When thou hast satisfied thy hunger, we will then,
sabre in thy hand, see who has most justice on his side, and
whether thou art as courageous as men speak thee.”

Hereupon they sat down and began to eat and drink and make
merry. The situation of Trenck could not be very
pleasant. He recollected that besides these, there might be
more of their companions, without, ready to fall upon him; he,
therefore, privately drew his pistols, held them under the table
while he cocked them, presented each hand to the body of a
Harum-Bashaw, fired them both at the same instant, overset the
table on the guests, and escaped from the house. As he went
he had time to seize on one of their muskets, which was standing
at the door. One of the Croats was left weltering in his
blood; the other disengaged himself from the table, and ran after
Trenck, who suffered him to approach, killed him within his own
gun, struck off his head and brought it home in triumph. By
this action the banditti were deprived of their two most valorous
chiefs.

War broke out about this time, in 1740, when all the
Hungarians took up arms in defence of their beloved queen.
Trenck offered to raise a free corps of pandours, and requested
an amnesty for the banditti who should join his troops. His
request was granted, he published the amnesty, and began to raise
recruits; he therefore enrolled his own vassals, formed a corps
of 500 men, went in search of the robbers, drove them into a
strait between the Save and Sarsaws, where they capitulated, and
300 of them enrolled themselves with his pandours. Most of
these men were six feet in height, determined, and experienced
soldiers. To indulge them on certain occasions in their
thirst of pillage were means which he successfully employed to
lead them where he pleased, and to render them victorious.
By means like these Trenck became at once the terror of the
enemies of Austria, and rendered signal services to his
Empress.

In 1741, while he was exercising his regiment, a company fired
upon Trenck, and killed his horse, and his servant that stood by
his side. He ran to the company, counted one, two, three,
and beheaded the fourth. He was continuing this, when a
Harum-Bashaw left the ranks, drew his sword, and called aloud,
“It is I who fired upon thee, defend thyself.”
The soldiers stood motionless spectators. Trenck attacked
him and hewed him down. He was proceeding to continue the
execution of the fourth man, but the whole regiment presented
their arms. The revolt became general, and Trenck, still
holding his drawn sabre, ran amidst them, hacking about him on
all sides. The excess of his rage was terrific; the
soldiers all called “Hold!” each fell on their knees,
and promised obedience. After this he addressed them in
language suitable to their character, and from that time they
became invincible soldiers whenever they were headed by
himself. Let the situation of Trenck be considered; he was
the chief of a band of robbers who supposed they were authorised
to take whatever they pleased in an enemy’s country, a
banditti that had so often defied the gallows, and had never
known military subordination. Let such men be led to the
field and opposed to regular troops. That they are never
actuated by honour is evident: their leader is obliged to excite
their avidity by the hope of plunder to engage them in action;
for if they perceive no personal advantage, the interest of the
sovereign is insufficient to make them act.

Trenck had need of a particular species of officers.
They must be daring, yet cautious. They are partisans, and
must be capable of supporting fatigue, desirous of daily seeking
the enemy, and hazarding their lives. As he was himself
never absent at the time of action, he soon became acquainted
with those whom he called old women, and sent them from his
regiment. These officers then repaired to Vienna, vented
their complaints, and were heard. His avarice prevented him
from making any division of his booty with those gentlemen who
constituted the military courts, thus neglecting what was
customary at Vienna: and in this originated the prosecution to
which he fell a victim. Scarcely had he entered Austria
with his troops before he found an opportunity of reaping
laurels. The French army was defeated at Lintz.
Trenck pursued them, treated his prisoners with barbarity; and,
never granting quarter in battle, the very appearance of his
pandours inspired terror.

Trenck was a great warrior, and knew how to profit by the
slightest advantage. From this time he became renowned,
gained the confidence of Prince Charles, and the esteem of the
Field-marshal Count Kevenhuller, who discovered the worth of the
man. No partisan had ever before obtained so much power as
Trenck; he everywhere pursued the enemy as far as Bavaria,
carrying fire and sword wherever he went. As it was known
Trenck gave no quarter, the Bavarians and the French flew at the
sight of a red mantle. Pillage and murder attended the
pandours wherever they went, and their colonel bought up all the
booty they acquired. Chamb, in particular, was a scene of a
dreadful massacre. The city was set on fire and the people
perished in the flames; women and children who endeavoured to
fly, were obliged to pass over a bridge, where they were first
stripped, and afterwards thrown into the water. This action
was one of the accusations brought against Trenck when he was
prosecuted, but he alleged his justification.

The banks of the Iser to this day reverberate groans for the
barbarities of Trenck. Deckendorf and Filtzhofen felt all
his fury. In the first of these towns 600 French prisoners
capitulated, although his forces were four miles distant; but he
formed a kind of straw men, on which he put pandour caps and
cloaks, and set them up as sentinels; and the garrison, deceived
by this stratagem, signed the capitulation. The services he
rendered the army during the Bavarian war are well known in the
history of Maria Theresa. The good he has done has been
passed over in silence, because he died under misfortunes, and
did not leave his historian a legacy. He was informed that
either at Deckendorf or Filtzhofen there was a barrel containing
20,000 florins, concealed at the house of an apothecary.
Impelled by the desire of booty, Trenck hastened to the place,
with a candle in his hand, searching everywhere, and, in his
hurry, dropped a spark into a quantity of gunpowder, by the
explosion of which he was dreadfully scorched. They carried
him off, but the scars and the gunpowder with which his skin was
blackened rendered his countenance terrific.

The present Field-marshal Laudohn was at that time a
lieutenant in his regiment, and happened to be at the door when
his colonel was burnt. Scarcely was Trenck cured before his
spies informed him that Laudohn had plenty of money.
Immediately he suspected that Laudohn had found the barrel of
florins, and from that moment he persecuted him by all imaginable
arts. Wherever there was danger he sent him, at the head of
30 men, against 300, hoping to have him cut off, and to make
himself his heir. This was so often repeated that Laudohn
returned to Vienna, where, joining the crowd of the enemies of
Trenck, he became instrumental in his destruction. Yet it
is certain that, in the beginning, Trenck had shown a friendship
for Laudohn, had given him a commission, and that this great man
learned, under the command of Trenck, his military
principles. General Tillier was likewise formed in this
nursery of soldiers, where officers were taught activity,
stratagem, and enterprise. And who are more capable of
commanding a Hungarian army than Tillier and Laudohn? I,
one day said to Trenck, when he was in Vienna, embarrassed by his
prosecution, and when he had published a defamatory writing
against all his accusers, excepting no man,—“You have
always told me that Laudohn was one of the most capable of your
officers, and that he is a worthy man. Wherefore then do
you class him among such wretches?” He replied,
“What! would you have me praise a man who labours, at the
head of my enemies, to rob me of honour, property, and
life!” I have related this incident to prove by the
testimony of so honourable a man, that Trenck was a great
soldier, and a zealous patriot, and that he never took the King
of Prussia prisoner, as has been falsely affirmed, and as is
still believed by the multitude. Had such a thing happened,
Laudohn must have been present, and would have supported this
charge.

Bavaria was plundered by Trenck; barges were loaded with gold,
silver, and effects, which he sent to his estates in Sclavonia;
Prince Charles and Count Kevenhuller countenanced his
proceedings; but when Field-marshal Neuperg was at the head of
the army, he had other principles. He was connected with
Baron Tiebes, a counsellor of the Hofkriegsrath who was the enemy
of Trenck. Persecution was at that time instituted against
him, and Trenck was imprisoned; but he defended himself so
powerfully that in a month he was set at liberty. Mentzel,
meanwhile, had the command of the pandours; and this man
appropriated to himself the fame that Trenck had acquired by the
warriors he himself had formed. Mentzel never was the equal
of Trenck. Trenck now increased the number of his Croats to
4,000, from whom, in 1743, a regiment of Hungarian regulars was
formed, but who still retained the name of pandours. It was
a regiment of infantry. Trenck also had 600 hussars and 150
chasseurs, whom he equipped at his own expense. Yet, when
this corps was reduced, all was sold for the profit of the
imperial treasury, without bringing a shilling to account.

With a corps so numerous, he undertook great
enterprises. The enemy fled wherever he appeared. He
led the van, raised contributions which amounted to several
millions, delivered unto the Empress, in five years, 7,000
prisoners, French and Bavarian, and more than 3,000
Prussians. He never was defeated. He gained
confidence among his troops, and will remain in history the first
man who rendered the savage Croats efficient soldiers. This
it was impossible to perform among a bloodthirsty people without
being guilty himself of cruel acts. The necessity of the
excesses he committed, when the army was in want of forage, was
so evident that he received permission of Prince Charles, though
for this he was afterwards prosecuted; while the plunders of
Brenklau, Mentzel, and the whole army, were never once
questioned. That Trenck advanced more than 100,000 florins
to his regiment, I clearly proved, in 1750. This proof came
too late. He was dead. The evidence I brought
occasioned a quartermaster, Frederici, to be imprisoned. He
confessed the embezzlement of this money, yet found so many
friends among the enemies of Trenck that he refunded nothing, but
was released in the year 1754, when I was thrown into the dungeon
of Magdeburg.

My cousin, who had lived like a miser, did not, at his death,
leave half of the property he had inherited from his father, and
which legally descended to me; it was torn from me by
violence.

In 1744 he obliged the French to retire beyond the Rhine,
seized on a fort near Phillipsburg, swam across the river with 70
pandours, attacked the fortifications, slew the Marquis de
Crevecoeur, with his own hand manned the post, traversed the
other arm of the Rhine, surprised two Bavarian regiments of
cavalry, and by this daring manoeuvre, secured the passage of the
Rhine to the whole army, which, but for him, would not have been
effected. Wherever he came, he laid the country under
contribution, and, at this moment of triumph for the Austrian
arms, opened himself a passage to enter the territories of
France. In September, 1744, war having broken out between
Austria and Prussia, the imperial army was obliged to return,
abandon Alsatia, and hasten to the succour of the Austrian
states. Trenck succeeded in covering its retreat. The
history of Maria Theresa declares the damages he did the enemy,
during this campaign. He gave proof of his capacity at
Tabor and Budweis. With 300 men he attacked one of these
towns, which was defended by the two Prussian regiments of
Walrabe and Kreutz. He found the water in the moats was
deeper than his spies had declared, and the scaling ladders too
short: most of those led to the attack were killed, or drowned in
the water, and the small number that crossed the moats were made
prisoners. The garrison of Tabor, of Budweis, and of the
castle of Frauenburg, were, nevertheless, induced to capitulate,
and yield themselves prisoners, although the main body under
Trenck was more than five miles distant. His corps did not
come up till the morrow, and it was ridiculous enough to see the
pandours dressed in the caps of the Prussian fusiliers and
pioneers, which they wore instead of their own, and which they
afterwards continued to wear.

The campaign to him was glorious, and the enemy’s want
of light troops gave free scope to his enterprises, highly to
their prejudice. He never returned without prisoners.
He passed the Elbe near Pardubitz, took the magazines, and was
the cause of the great dearth and desertion among the Prussians,
and of that hasty retreat to which they were forced. The
King was at Cohn with his headquarters, where I was with him,
when Trenck attacked the town, which he must have carried, had he
not been wounded by a cannon-ball, which shattered his
foot. He was taken away, the attack did not succeed, and
his men, without him, remained but so many ciphers.

In 1745, he went to Vienna, where his entrance resembled a
triumph. The Empress received him with distinction.
He appeared on crutches; she, by her condescending speech,
inflamed his zeal to extravagance. Who would have supposed
that the favourite of the people would that year be abandoned to
the power of his enemies; who had not rendered, during their
whole lives, so much essential service to the state as Trenck had
done in a single day? He returned to his estate, raised
eight hundred recruits that he might aid in the next campaign,
and gather new laurels. He rejoined the army. At the
battle of Sorau he fell upon the Prussian camp, and seized upon
the tent of the King, but he came too late to attack the rear, as
had been preconcerted. Frederic gave up his camp to be
plundered, for the Croats could not be drawn off to attack the
army, and the King was prepared to receive them, even if they
should. In the meantime, the imperial army was
defeated.

Here was a field for the enemies of Trenck to incite the
people against him. They accused him of having made the
King of Prussia a prisoner in his tent; that he also pillaged the
camp instead of attacking the rear of the army. After
having ended the campaign, he returned to Vienna to defend
himself. Here he found twenty-three officers, whom he
expelled his regiment, most of them for cowardice or mean
actions. They were ready to bear false testimony.
Counsellor Weber and Gen. Loewenwalde, had sworn his downfall,
which they effected. Trenck despised their attacks.
While things remained thus, they instructed one of the
Empress’s attendants to profit by every opportunity to
deprive him of her confidence. It was affirmed, Trenck is
an atheist! who never prayed to the holy Virgin! The
officers, whom he had broken, whispered it in coffee-houses, that
Trenck had taken and set free the King of Prussia! This
raised the cry among the fanatical mob of Vienna. Teased by
their complaints, and at the requisition of Trenck himself, the
Empress commanded that examination should be undertaken of these
accusations. Field-marshal Cordova was chosen to preside
over this inquiry. He spoke the truth, and drew up a
statement of the case; it was presented to the Court, and which I
shall here insert.

“The complaints brought against him did not require a
court-martial. Trenck had broken some officers by his own
authority; their demands ought to be satisfied by the payment of
12,000 florins. The remaining accusations were all the
attempts of revenge and calumny, and were insufficient to detain
at Vienna, entangled in law-suits, a man so necessary to the
army. Moreover, it would be prudent not to inquire into
trifles, in consideration of his important services.”

Trenck, dissatisfied by this sentence, and animated by avarice
and pride, refused to pay a single florin, and returned to
Sclavonia. His presence was necessary at Vienna, to obtain
other advantages against his enemies. They gave the Empress
to understand, that being a man excessively dangerous, whenever
he supposed himself injured, Trenck had spread pernicious views
in Sclavonia, where all men were dependent on him. He
raised six hundred more men, with whom he made a campaign in the
Netherlands, and in October, 1746, returned to Vienna.
After the peace of Dresden, his regiment was incorporated among
the regulars, and served against France.

Scarcely had he arrived at Vienna, before an order came from
the Empress that he must remain under arrest in his
chamber. Here he rendered himself guilty by the most
imprudent action of his whole life. He ordered his carriage
and horses, despising the imperial mandate, went to the theatre,
when the Empress was present. In one of the boxes he saw
Count Gossau, in company with a comrade of his own, whom he had
cashiered: these persons were among the foremost of his
accusers. Inflamed with the desire of revenge, he entered
the box, seized Count Gossau, and would have thrown him into the
pit in the presence of the Sovereign herself. Gossau drew
his sword, and tried to run him through, but the latter seizing
it, wounded himself in the hand. Everybody ran to save
Gossau, who was unable to defend himself. After this
exploit, the colonel of the pandours returned foaming home.

Such an action rendered it impossible for Maria Theresa to
declare herself the protectress of a man so rash. Sentinels
were placed over him, and his enemies profiting by his imprudence
and passion, he was ordered to be tried by a court-martial.
General Loewenwalde intrigued so successfully, that he procured
himself to be named, by the Hofkriegsrath, president of the
court-martial, and to be charged with the sequestration of the
property of Trenck. In vain did the latter protest against
his judge. The very man, whom the year before he had kicked
out of the ante-chamber of Prince Charles, received full power to
denounce him guilty. Then was it that public notice was
given that all those who would prefer complaints against Colonel
Baron Trenck should receive a ducat per day while the council
continued to sit. They soon amounted to fifty-four, who, in
a space of four months, received 15,000 florins from the property
of Trenck. The judge himself purchased the depositions of
false witnesses; and Count Loewenwalde offered me one thousand
ducats, if I would betray the secrets of my cousin, and promised
me I should be put in possession of my confiscated estates in
Prussia, and have a company in a regiment.

That the indictment and the examinations of the witnesses were
falsified, has already been proved in the revision of the cause;
but as the indictment did not contain one article that could
affect his life, they invented the following stratagem. A
courtesan, a mistress of Baron Rippenda, who was a member of the
court-martial, was bribed, and made oath she was the daughter of
Count Schwerin, Field-marshal in the Prussian service, and that
she was in bed with the King of Prussia, when Trenck surprised
the camp at Sorau, made her and the King prisoners, and restored
them their freedom. She even ventured to name Baron
Hilaire, aide-de-camp to Frederic, whom she affirmed was then
present. Hilaire, who afterwards married the Baroness
Tillier, and who consequently was brother-in-law to Trenck,
fortunately happened to be in Vienna. He was confronted
with this woman, and through her falsehoods, the gentleman was
obliged to remain in prison, where they offered him bribes, which
be refused to accept; and, to prevent his speaking, he continued
in prison some weeks, and was not released till this shameful
proceeding was made public.

Count Loewenwalde invented another artifice; he drew up a
false indictment; and, that he might be prevented all means of
justification, he chose a day to put it in practice, when the
Emperor and Prince Charles were hunting at Holitzsch.
Loewenwalde’s court-martial had already signed a sentence
of death, and every preparation for the erection of a scaffold
was made. His intention was then to go to the Empress and
induce her to sign the sentence, under a pretence that there was
some imminent peril at hand, if a man so dangerous to the state
was not immediately put out of the way, and that it would be
necessary to execute the sentence of death before the Emperor
could return. He well knew the Emperor was better
acquainted with Trenck, and had ever been his protector.

Had this succeeded, Trenck would have died like a traitor;
Miss Schwerin would have espoused the aide-de-camp of
Loewenwalde, with fifty thousand florins, taken from the funds of
Trenck, and his property would have been divided between his
judges and his accusers. As it happened, however, the
valet-de-chambre of Count Loewenwalde, who was an honest man, and
who had an intimacy with a former mistress of Trenck, confided
the whole secret to her. She immediately flew to Colonel
Baron Lopresti, who was the sincere friend of my kinsman, and,
being then powerful at Court, was his deliverer. The
Emperor and Prince Charles were informed of what was in
agitation, but they thought proper to keep it secret. The
hunting at Holitzsch took place on the appointed day. Count
Loewenwalde made his appearance before the Empress, and solicited
her to sign the sentence. She, however, had been
pre-informed, the Emperor having returned on the same day, and
their abominable project proved abortive. Miss Schwerin was
imprisoned; Loewenwalde was deprived of his power, as well as of
the sequestration of the effects of Trenck; a total revision of
the proceedings of the court-martial, and of the prosecution of
my cousin, was ordered, which was an event, that, till then, was
unexampled at Vienna.

Trenck was freed from his fetters, removed to the arsenal, an
officer guarded him, and he had every convenience he could
wish. He was also permitted the use of a counsellor to
defend his cause. I obtained by the influence of the
Emperor leave to visit him and to aid him in all things. It
was at this epoch that I arrived at Vienna, and, at this very
instant, when the revision of the prosecution was commanded and
determined on. Count Loewenwalde, supposing me a needy,
thoughtless youth, endeavoured to bribe me, and prevail on me to
betray my kinsman. Prince Charles of Lorraine then desired
me seriously to represent to Trenck that his avarice had been the
cause of all these troubles, for he hind refused to pay the
paltry sum of 12,000 florins, by which he might have silenced all
his accusers; but that, as at present, affairs had become so
serious, he ought himself to secure his judges for the revision
of the suit; to spare no money, and then he might be certain of
every protection the prince could afford.

The respectable Field-marshal Konigseck, governor of Vienna,
was appointed president; but, being an old man, he was unable to
preside at any one sitting of the court. Count S--- was the
vice-president, a subtle, insatiable judge, who never thought he
had money enough. I took 3,000 ducats, which Baron Lopresti
gave me, to this most worthy counsellor. The two
counsellors, Komerkansquy and Zetto, each received 4,000
rix-dollars, with a promise of double the sum if Trenck were
acquitted; there was a formal contract drawn up, which a certain
noble lord secretly signed. Trenck was defended by the
advocate Gerhauer and by Berger. They began with the
self-created daughter of Marshal Schwerin; and, to conceal the
iniquitous proceedings of the late court-martial, it was thought
proper that she should appear insane, and return incoherent
answers to the questions put by the examiners. Trenck
insisted that a more severe inquiry should be instituted; but
they affirmed that she had been conducted out of the Austrian
territories.

Trenck was accused of having ordered a certain pandour, named
Paul Diack, to suffer the bastinado of 1,000 blows, and that he
had died under the punishment. This was sworn to by two
officers, now great men in the army, who said they were
eye-witnesses of the fact. When the revision of the suit
began, Trenck sent me into Sclavonia, where I found the dead Paul
Diack alive, and brought him to Vienna. He was examined by
the court, where it appeared that the two officers, who had sworn
they were present when he expired, and had seen him buried, were
at that time 160 miles from the regiment, and recruiting in
Sclavonia. Paul Diack had engaged in plots, and had
mutinied three times. Trenck had pardoned him, but
afterwards mutinying once more, with forty others, he was
condemned to death. At the place of execution he called to
his colonel: “Father, if I receive a thousand blows, will
you pardon me?” Trenck replied in the
affirmative. He received the punishment, was taken to the
hospital, and cured.

I brought fourteen more witnesses from Sclavonia, who attested
the falsity of other articles of accusation which were not worthy
of attention. The cause wore a new aspect; and the
wickedness of those who were so desirous to have seen Trenck
executed became apparent.

One of the chief articles in the prosecution, which for ever
deprived him of favour from his virtuous and apostolic mistress,
and for which alone he was condemned to the Spielberg, was, that
he had ravished the daughter of a miller in Silesia. This
was made oath of, and he was not entirely cleared of the charge
in the revision, because his accusers had excluded all means of
justification. Two years after his death, I discovered the
truth of this affair. Mainstein accused him of this crime
that he might prevent his return to the regiment; his motive was,
because he, in conjunction with Frederici, had appropriated to
their own purposes 8,000 florins of regimental money.

This miller’s daughter was the mistress of Mainstein,
before she had been seen by Trenck. Maria Theresa, however,
would never forgive him; and, to satisfy the honour of this
damsel, he was condemned to pay 8,000 florins to her, and 15,000
to the chest of the invalids, and to suffer perpetual
imprisonment. Sixty-three civil suits had I to defend, and
all the appeals of his accusers to terminate after his
death. I gained them all and his accusers were condemned in
costs, also to refund the so much per day which had been paid
them by General Loewenwalde; but they were all poor, and I might
seek the money where I could. In justice, Loewenwalde ought
to have reimbursed me. The total of the sum they received
was 15,000 florins.

Most of the other articles of accusation consisted in
Trenck’s having beheaded some mutinous pandours, and broken
his officers without a court-martial; that he had bought of his
soldiers, and melted down the holy vessels of the church,
chalices, and rosaries; had bastinadoed some priests, had not
heard mass every Sunday, and had dragged malefactors from
convents, in which they had taken refuge. When the officers
were no longer protected by Loewenwalde, or Weber, they decamped,
but did not cease to labour to gain their purpose, which they
attained by the aid of the Court-confessor. This monk found
means to render Maria Theresa insensible of pity towards a man
who had been so prodigal of his blood in her defence.
Loewenwalde knew how to profit by the opportunity. Gerhauer
discovered the secret proceedings; and Loewenwalde, now deeply
interested in the ruin of Trenck, went to the Empress, related
the manner in which the judges had been bribed, and threatened
that should he, through the protection of the Emperor and Prince
Charles, be declared innocent, he would publicly vindicate the
honour of the court-martial.

Had my cousin followed my advice and plan of flight he would
not have died in prison nor should I have lain in the dungeon of
Magdeburg. With respect to individuals whom he robbed,
innocent men whom he massacred, and many other worthy people whom
he made miserable; with respect to his father, aged eighty-four,
and his virtuous wife, whom he treated with barbarity; with
respect to myself, to the duties of consanguinity and of man, he
merited punishment, the pursuit of the avenging arm of justice,
and to be extirpated from all human society.

EPILOGUE.

Thomas Carlyle’s opinion of the author of this History
is expressed in the following passages from his History of
Friedrich II. of Prussia: “‘Frederick Baron
Trenck,’ loud sounding phantasm, once famous in the world,
now gone to the nurseries as mythical, was of this carnival
(1742-3.) . . . A tall actuality in that time, swaggering about
in sumptuous Life Guard uniform in his mess-rooms and
assembly-rooms; much in love with himself, the fool! And I
rather think, in spite of his dog insinuations, neither Princess
had heard of him till twenty years hence, in a very different
phasis of his life! The empty, noisy, quasi-tragic fellow;
sounds throughout quasi-tragical, like an empty barrel;
well-built, longing to be filled.”—Book xiv., ch.
3.

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